# NTSB CHI84FA049: Piper PA-28-161, N8162D, Dexter, MI, November 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1983, 04:26 local (09:26 UTC)
- Place: Dexter, MI
- Coordinates: 42.329166, -83.869323 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3292&lon=-83.8693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12377
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12377/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA049

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT 2135 EST, THE PLT CALLED THE LANSING FSS & REQUESTED A WX FORCAST FOR THE DETROIT CITY ARPT & WINDS ALOFT. HE WAS BRIEFED, BUT HE DID NOT FILE A FLT PLAN, SOMETIME AFTER 2200 EST, HE TOOK OFF FORM MASON, MI ON A PASSENGER FLT TO ANN ARBOR, MI. AT 2252, THE PLT CALLED THE LANSING FSS & OBTAINED THE CURRENT LANSING WX. AFTER LANDING AT ANN ARBOR, TWO ADDITIONAL NIGHT, PASSENGER FLTS WERE MADE (TO THE DETROIT CITY ARPT & BACK TO ANN ARBOR). AFTER THE 2ND LANDING AT ANNN ARBOR (APRX 0200), THE PLT WENT TO A RESTAURANT 'FOR SOMETHING TO EAT.' AT APRX 0400, HE TOOK OFF ALONE ON A FLT BACK TO MASON. AT ABOUT 0426, THE ACFT CRASHED APRX 11.5 MI NW OF THE DEPARTURE ARPT. THE ACFT IMPACTED ON A WESTERLY HEADING IN AN ESTIMATED 58 DEG DESCENT. A WITNESS ABOUT 3/4 MI NNW OF THE CRASH SITE SAID THE ACFT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ON A SE HEADING WHEN IT PASSED OVER HER HOME. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. UNFAV WX, LOW CEILING, RAIN & FOG WAS FORMING. AT 0530, HVY FOG AT DEXTER. NO CURRENT MED CERT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8162D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288016273
- Airframe hours: 2115
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael Green
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 17, 1983, 380 hours before
- Departed: ARD, ANN ARBOR, MI
- Destination: 09G, MASON, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 83 total, 83 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JXN, 25 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 19831119059469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831119059469A), Nov 19, 1983: Piper PA28161, Dexter, MI, Destroyed. Pilot continued into deteriorating weather conditions. Crash occurred in wooded area in almost vertical impact.

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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