# NTSB CHI82FA214: Piper PA-32, N30575, Charlevoix, MI, June 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1982, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Charlevoix, MI
- Coordinates: 45.309604, -85.250152 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3096&lon=-85.2502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70199
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70199/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA214

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - motivation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED THE CHARLEVOIX ARPT & CRASHED 1 MILE SOUTH OF THE ARPT. TWO PERSONS TRIED TO DISCOURAGE THE PLT FROM LEAVING BECAUSE OF THE POOR WEATHER. WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE WEATHER AS RAINING HARD & VISIBILITY POOR WITH AN ESTIMATED VISIBILITY AT 200 TO 300 FEET IN FOG. THE PLT REMARKED EARLIER IN THE DAY THAT HE HAD HOPED TO COMPLETE HIS WORK BY 1500 AS HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK HOME IN TIME TO ATTEND HIS DAUGHTER'S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TO BE HELD THAT NIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30575](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30575-1991-03-20), registration cancelled 1991-03-20, S/N 32R7885280 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7885280
- Airframe hours: 717
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald L. Steffes
- Registered owner: Ronald L. Steffes
- Departed: CHARLEVOIX, MI
- Destination: PONTIAC, MI
- Airport: runway 26, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 131 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19820617022779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820617022779A), Jun 17, 1982: Piper PA32RT300, Charlevoix, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot departed in adverse weather conditions. Aircraft crashed 1 mile south of airport in open field.

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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