# NTSB CHI82FA266: Piper PA-28-180, N7304W, Hartsburg, IL, July 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1982, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Hartsburg, IL
- Coordinates: 40.24958, -89.440818 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2496&lon=-89.4408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70976
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FA266
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70976/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA266

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT 1223 CDT THE PLT CONTACTED PEORIA APPROACH CONTROL & REQUESTED RADAR VECTORS TO THE MT.HAWLEY ARPT LOCATED JUST NORTHOF THE PEORIA ARPT. AT 1227 CDT HE STATED THE WEATHER WAS GETTING BAD & HE WOULD LIKE TO FLY TO THE LOGAN COUNTY ARPT. ONE WITNESS STATED THE ACFT ENTERED A SMALL DARK CLOUD & WHEN IT CAME OUT IT WAS IN AN APPROXIMATE 60 DEG DIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7304W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7304W-1985-08-13), registration cancelled 1985-08-13, S/N 28-1160 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-1160
- Airframe hours: 652
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dean A. Hendryx
- Registered owner: Dean A. Hendryx
- Departed: 4MG, HOT SPRINGS, AR
- Destination: BMY, MT. HAWLEY, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 173 total, 78 in this make and model, 135 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 167 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIA, 24 nm away

## 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 19820722033539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820722033539A), Jul 22, 1982: Piper PA28180, Hartsburg, IL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft was observed entering clouds then diving out of clouds until collision with ground.

## Other investigations on N7304W (2)

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 NYC69D0062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC69D0062), Jul 17, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N7304W), Edgartown, MA, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC67F0408](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67F0408), Dec 4, 1966: Piper PA-28 (N7304W), Red Bank, NJ, 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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