# NTSB CHI83LA234: Piper PA-28-180, N3661R, Delphi, IN, May 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1983, 15:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Delphi, IN
- Location: 40.5834° N, 86.6668° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Delphi, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5834&lon=-86.6668&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12191
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12191/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA234

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - not performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLT, THE PLT NOTICED CLOUDS THAT LOOKED LIKE SMOKE APPROACHING THE ARPT FROM THE WEST. HE STATED THAT HE DECIDED TO LAND TO KEEP FROM LOSING VISIBILITY. THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING RWY 18 WITH A X-WIND FROM 270 DEG, HE HAD TO CRAB TO THE RIGHT. HE REPORTED THAT HE STAIGHTENED THE NOSE WITH LEFT RUDDER & RIGHT BANK. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND IN THE FLARE & THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE ACFT THEN WENT OUT OF CONTROL & CRASHED. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 270 DEG AT 16 KTS. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, THE MAX DEMONSTRATED X-WIND FOR THIS ACFT WAS 15 MPH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3661R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3661R-1992-03-26), registration cancelled 1992-03-26, S/N 285765 (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: 28-5765
- Airframe hours: 7695
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-AYA 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aretz Flying Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 1983, 90 hours before
- Departed: 1L9, DELPHI, IN
- Airport: 1L9, Delphi Muni, runway 18, 2,900 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 97 total, 7 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830529021679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830529021679A), May 29, 1983: Piper PA28180, Delphi, IN, Substantial damage. Wind caught airplane as it was flaring for landing causing both wing tips to hit ground and nose wheel broke off.

## Other investigations on N3661R (1)

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 CHI79DEX20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79DEX20), Apr 17, 1979: Piper PA-28 (N3661R), Lafayette, IN, 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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