# NTSB CHI83FA042: Piper PA-44-180, N2161N, Mccutchanville, IN, November 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1982, 04:03 local (09:03 UTC)
- Place: Mccutchanville, IN
- Location: 38.0642° N, 87.5245° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of McCutchanville, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0642&lon=-87.5245&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71623
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71623/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 0401 EST, THE PILOT TOOK OFF ON AN IFR FLIGHT AND WAS CLEARED TO CLIMB AND MAINTAIN 6000 FT MSL. RADAR CONTACT WAS ESTABLISHED AT ABOUT 0402. AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER 30 SECONDS, RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED ABOUT 3 TO 4 MI FROM THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND STRUCTURE WERE MADE, BUT NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WERE FOUND. SEVERAL WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ENGINES WERE OPERATING AT HIGH POWER UNTIL IMPACT. THE TOTAL CARGO LOAD (BAGS AND BOXES) WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 399 LBS. NO CARGO NET WAS FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE, BUT SEVERAL TIEDOWN ROPES WERE FOUND. THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CARGO SHIFTING WAS CONSIDERED, BUT WAS NOT DETERMINED. IF THE CARGO HAD SHIFTEDFULL AFT DURING THE CLIMB, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ONLY ABOUT .5% BEHIND THE AFT CG LIMIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2161N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2161N-2011-07-15), registration cancelled 2011-07-15, S/N 44-7995221, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-44-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-44-180) (registry code 7104402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 447995221
- Airframe hours: 1444
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-E1A60 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Brack, Frank & Associates
- Registered owner: Brack, Frank & Associates
- Departed: EVANSVILLE, IN
- Destination: EAST ST. LOUIS, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: runway 4, 8,021 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,612 total, 1,389 in this make and model, 2,453 as pilot in command, 208 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 136 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EVV

## 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 19821119059179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821119059179A), Nov 19, 1982: Piper PA44180, Mccutchanville, IN, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. Investigation revealed that cargo had not been secured. Total cargo 399 lbs

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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