# NTSB CHI83FA148: Piper PA-32R-300, N1057Q, Rochester, IL, March 21, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1983, 14:28 local (20:28 UTC)
- Place: Rochester, IL
- Coordinates: 39.750835, -89.539779 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7508&lon=-89.5398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11985
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11985/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA148

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - separation (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED AN IN-FLT BREAK-UP DURING DESCENT. THE PILOT HAD REPORTED ON THE RADIO TO KANSAS CITY ARTCC THAT HEWAS HAVING SEVERE CHEST PAINS AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH. RADAR CONTACT WITH THE PLANE WAS LOST AT 1425 CST. THE PILOT HAD REPORTED HE WAS MANUALLY FLYING THE ACFT. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT COME OUT OF THE CLOUDS IN A SPIN. THEY SAW SEPARATE PIECES OF THE ACFT FALLING AFTER THE MAIN PORTIONS HAD DESCENDED. THEY HAD HEARD THE ENGINE SOUNDS WHICH MADE THE IMPRESSION THAT THE ACFT WAS DOING STUNTS. THE AUTOPSY REPORT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF DEATH OF THE PILOT WAS ATHEROSCLEROTIC CORONARY ARTERY HEART DISEASE. THE PILOT HAD BEEN HOPITALIZED IN 10/92 DUE TO CHEST PAINS. HE WAS TESTED FOR CORONARY PROBLEMS. NO EVIDENCE OF CORONARY DISEASE WAS FOUND. HE WAS TREATED FOR HYPERTENSION BUT REPORTEDLY WOULD NOT TAKE HIS MEDICINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1057Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7780220
- Airframe hours: 1087
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph W. Hopkins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1982, 46 hours before
- Departed: FTW, FT. WORTH, TX
- Destination: CMI, CHAMPAIGN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 366 total, 124 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SP1, 20 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 19830321008479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830321008479A), Mar 21, 1983: Piper PA32R300, Rochester, IL, Destroyed. Pilot suffered a heart attack en route IFR. Airframe failure occurred. Witness saw wreckage spinning out of clouds.

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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