# NTSB CHI82FA181: Beech A23, N1405L, Northville, MI, May 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1982, 13:24 local (17:24 UTC)
- Place: Northville, MI
- Coordinates: 42.429462, -83.479362 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4295&lon=-83.4794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72048
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72048/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA181

## 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 - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT 1701 EDT ON 5/21/82, THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT CALLED A FLIGHT SERVICE STATION AND REQUESTED AN IFR WEATHER BRIEFING. THE BRIEFING WAS FOR A FLIGHT FROM LAPEER, MICHIGAN TO FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY. THE PLANE DEPARTED THE NEXT DAY AT ABOUT 1200 EDT WITH NO FLIGHT PLAN. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREETOP, HIT A POWERLINE AND IMPACTED A WOODED AREA NEAR NORTHVILLE, MI. SEVERAL WITNESSES HEARD AND/OR SAW THE PLANE AT LOW ALTITUDE BEFORE IT CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1405L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-794
- Airframe hours: 1909
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mitchell A. Williams
- Registered owner: Mitchell A. Williams
- Departed: LAPEER, MI
- Destination: FRANKFORT, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 800 total, 22 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 138 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820522017949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820522017949A), May 22, 1982: Beech A23, Northville, MI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft was observed flying low under clouds, striking tree and then powerline before crashing to ground.

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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