# NTSB CHI83FA044: Piper PA-28R-201T, N6012H, Evart, MI, November 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1982, 09:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Evart, MI
- Coordinates: 43.899478, -85.270957 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8995&lon=-85.2710&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70632/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA044

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT FLEW INTO TREES DURING LOW FLIGHT IN IMC WEATHER. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING AND WAS INSTRUMENT RATED BUT WAS NOT ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN. IMC WEATHER WAS FORECAST FOR THE ROUTE PLANNED. HUNTERS HEARD THE AIRCRAFT FLY OVER AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND REV UP JUST PRIOR TO COLLISION WITH TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6012H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6012H-1999-01-05), registration cancelled 1999-01-05, S/N 28R7803081 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201T (PA-28R-201)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7803081
- Airframe hours: 1030
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-F 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James E. Vanderlaan
- Registered owner: James E. Vanderlaan
- Departed: 08C, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
- Destination: Y91, LAKE CITY, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, invalid medical for flight; flight hours: 1,118 total, 493 in this make and model, 880 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 350 ft overcast

## 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 19821119059419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821119059419A), Nov 19, 1982: Piper PA28R201T, Evart, MI, Destroyed. Flew into trees in thick fog clouds and drizzle. Failed to check weather for this portion of planned flight.

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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