# NTSB CHI82DA180: Piper PA-28, N2314F, Harrisburg, IL, May 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1982, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Harrisburg, IL
- Location: 37.7377° N, 88.5458° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Harrisburg, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7377&lon=-88.5458&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70968
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70968/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA180

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - comm/nav equipment - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - not obtained, pilot in command
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A WEATHER BRIEFING, THE PILOT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA OF HIS DESTINATION AT ABOUT 1415 CDT, HE DEPARTED FOR A TWO HOUR FLIGHT. AFTER FLYING OVER WEATHER MOST OF THE WAY AND OVERFLYING AN AIRPORT (HULMAN REGIONAL), HE CONTINUED ON WITH WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT FORCED COURSE AND ALTITUDE DEVIATIONS TO REMAIN VFR. THE PILOT STATED THAT BOTH RADIOS AND ONE VOR/ILS BECAME INOPERATIVE AT ABOUT 1550 CDT. A SHORT TIME LATER, HE SAW WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS AN AIRPORT, BUT WAS ACTUALLY A DRAG STRIP WITH OBSTRUCTIONS. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. WHILE LANDING BETWEEN PYLONS AND LIGHT POLES, THE PILOT DID NOT SEE A DRAG STRIP TIMER THAT WAS MOUNTED ON A 4 FT POLE AND WAS IN HIS LANDING PATHWAY. THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE TIMER POLE, THEN VEERED AND COLLIDED WITH A LIGHT POLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2314F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA-28-180
- Airframe hours: 3157
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William C. Howell
- Registered owner: William C. Howell
- Departed: DANVILLE, IL
- Destination: ELIZABETHTOWN, KY
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,584 total, 282 in this make and model, 2,730 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °F

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.