# NTSB CHI82DA315: Piper PA-38, N25814, New Haven, IL, July 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1982, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: New Haven, IL
- Location: 37.8984° N, 88.1268° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Haven, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8984&lon=-88.1268&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71974
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA315
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71974/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA315

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT BEFORE DEPARTING ON A ROUTINE PIPE LINE PATROL, HE OBTAINED A WEATHER BRIEFING. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF FLIGHT, THE VISIBILITY BEGAN TO DECREASE DUE TO GROUND FOG. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON A GRAVEL ROAD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LEFT WING STRUCK TALL GRASS AND THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED INTO A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25814](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25814-2012-09-17), registration cancelled 2012-09-17, S/N 38-81A0075, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-81A0075
- Airframe hours: 717
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Bullfrog, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bullfrog, Inc.
- Departed: OWENSBORO, KY
- Destination: OWENSBORO, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,304 total, 452 in this make and model, 1,882 as pilot in command, 237 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles

## 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 19820730039829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820730039829A), Jul 30, 1982: Piper PA38112, New Haven, IL, Substantial damage. Encountered lowering visibility shortly after takeoff on pipeline patrol. Landed on a road. Ran into a ditch.

## Other investigations on N25814 (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL83LA383](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA383), Sep 29, 1983: Piper PA-38-112 (N25814), Apison, TN, substantial damage

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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