# NTSB CHI82DA324: Piper PA-28-160, N5796W, Knox, IN, August 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1982, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Knox, IN
- Location: 41.2910° N, 86.6212° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Knox, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2910&lon=-86.6212&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71284
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA324
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71284/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA324

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A FLIGHT FROM LAKE VILLAGE TO KNOX, IN. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE LANDED TO REFUEL AT RENSSELAER, IN. DURING THE FLIGHT FROM RENSSELAER TO KNOX, THE ENGINE BEGAN LOOSING POWER WHEN HE WAS ABOUT 5 MI FROM THE DESTINATION. WHEN THE PILOT REALIZED HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT, HE LANDED IN A PASTURE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, A STRUT FAILED AND THE PLANE NOSE OVER. THE PILOT STATED THAT A WHEEL GOT INTO A RUT BEFORE THE PLANE NOSED OVER. DURING AN EXAMINATION, WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS AND CARBURETOR BOW. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD FAILED TO DRAIN THE FUEL SUMPS PRIOR TO DEPARTING RENSSELAER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5796W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5796W-1989-07-10), registration cancelled 1989-07-10, S/N 281736 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-1736
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rodney C. Sanders
- Registered owner: Rodney C. Sanders
- Departed: RENSSELAER, IN
- Destination: BROOKLYN PARK, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,550 total, 1,505 in this make and model, 2,445 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °F

## 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 19820821040739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820821040739A), Aug 21, 1982: Piper PA28160, Knox, IN, Substantial damage. Aircraft flipped inverted during emergency landing after engine quit due to fuel contamination.

## Other investigations on N5796W (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 CHI80FEV25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FEV25), Jul 7, 1980: Piper PA-28 (N5796W), Lacon, IL, 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.

---
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.