# NTSB CHI82DA078: Piper PA-30, N34EE, Valparaiso, IN, March 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1982, 23:56 local (Mar 5, 1982, 05:56 UTC)
- Place: Valparaiso, IN
- Coordinates: 41.470855, -87.049491 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4709&lon=-87.0495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72910
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72910/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA078

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (cause)
- Undershoot, approach
  - wing - ice (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - ice (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED ENCOUNTERING SEVERE ICING CONDITIONS AFTER HE HAD CANCELED HIS IFR FLIGHT PLAN AND HAD THE AIRPORT IN SIGHT. AT THAT POINT, HE FELT THAT THE SAFEST ALTERNATIVE WAS TO CONTINUE THE APPROACH. THE APPROACH WAS FLOWN AT 120 MPH WITH NO FLAPS. AS THE APPROACH WAS CONTINUED, ICE BEGAN TO ACCUMULATE RAPIDLY. WITH FULL POWER, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE DESCENT. THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN 78 FT SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND BOUNCED IN THE AIR AGAIN. THE PILOT RETRACTED THE GEAR IN AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT FLYING. THE WINDSHIELD WAS COVERED WITH ICE, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO SEE A PARALLEL TAXIWAY BY LOOKING THROUGH THE SIDE WINDOW. THE PLANE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE TAXIWAY AND LANDED AT A HIGH DESCENT RATE WITH THE GEAR UP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34EE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N34EE), registered now, S/N 30-1138, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-1138
- Airframe hours: 1340
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Eagle Aircraft Company
- Registered owner: Eagle Aircraft Company
- Departed: CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: VALPARAISO, IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: VPZ, Porter County, runway 9, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,613 total, 29 in this make and model, 2,446 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VPZ

## 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 19820304003519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820304003519A), Mar 4, 1982: Piper PA30, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. Aircraft picked up heavy ice from freezing rain approaching for landing. Aircraft hit short then crashed on taxiway

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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