# NTSB CHI81FEM09: Piper PA-28R, N4542Q, Houghton, MI, February 2, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: February 2, 1981
- Place: Houghton, MI · HOUGHTON, MI
- Location: 47.1118° N, 88.5672° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houghton, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1118&lon=-88.5672&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 23, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80060
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI81FEM09
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEM09

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0037   81/2/2    HOUGHTON,MI         PIPER PA-28R        CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 2255                    N4542Q              PX-  0  2  1  BUSINESS                  AGE 24, 312 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            47 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HOUGHTON,MI                 GREEN BAY,WI
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OBSTRUCTED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - EXCESSIVE PRESSURE
           POWERPLANT - LUBRICATING SYSTEM: SEALS AND GASKETS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OIL EXHAUSTION-ENGINE LUBRICATION SYSTEM
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- BREATHER LINE OBSTRUCTED WITH ICE.CRANKSHAFT SEAL DISPLACED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4542Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4542Q-2012-12-07), registration cancelled 2012-12-07, S/N 28R-7737063, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201) (registry code 7102816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19810202002599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810202002599A), Feb 2, 1981: Piper PA28R201, Houghton, MI, Destroyed. Smoke in cockpit. Lost oil pressure, engine quit on return to airport. Hit trees. Ice clogged oil breather.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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