# NTSB CHI83FA114: Piper PA-44-180T, N8278T, Indianapolis, IN, February 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1983, 22:59 local (Feb 14, 1983, 03:59 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Coordinates: 39.769195, -86.159355 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7692&lon=-86.1594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11978
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11978/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA114

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN ILS APCH TO RWY 22R, APCH CONTROL ASKED THE PLT TO KEEP HIS SPEED UP AS MUCH AS PRACTICAL. AT A LATER INTER- VIEW, THE PLT COULD NOT REMEMBER DETAILS OF THE APCH. HE RECALLED PUTTING THE GEAR DOWN AT THE OUTER MARKER (OM) & USING THE AUTOPILOT TO MAINTAIN HIS AZIMUTH ON THE ILS CENTERLINE, BUT MANUALLY CONTROLLING HIS SPEED & RATE OF DESCENT.HE COULD NOT RECALL WHETHER OR NOT HE CAPTURED THE ILS GLIDE SLOPE. HE MONITORED THE RADIO USING HIS HEADSET & ASKED THEPASSENGER (WITH PREVIOUS FLT EXPERIENCE) IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT TO MONITOR FOR NO LESS THAN 1000 FT MSL & 80 KTS AIRSPEED. TOWER PERSONNEL REPORTED WHEN HE WAS 1 1/2 MI & 1 MI ON FINAL. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE SUDDENLY SAW THE RWY AND STARTED DOWN TO LAND. AT ABOUT THAT TIME HE SAW THE RED LIGHTS AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY & INITIATED A GO- AROUND. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ALONG A FENCE ROW, APRX 25 FT AGL. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION/ FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE PAX COULD NOT HEAR THE RADIO, BUT SAW APPROX 800 FT ON THE ALTIMETER WHEN THE RUNWAY WAS SIGHTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8278T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-44-180T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 448107024
- Airframe hours: 265
- Engines: LYCOMING TO-360-E1A6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: L/S Equipment Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 1982, 18 hours before
- Departed: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Destination: IND, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IND, Indianapolis, runway 22R, 10,005 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,344 total, 8 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 2 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 19830213005929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830213005929A), Feb 13, 1983: Piper PA44180T, Indianapolis, IN, Destroyed. Pilot descended below glide slope during ILS approach. Aircraft hit trees and crashed.

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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