# NTSB CHI84FA148: Piper Aerostar 600, N3645T, Pontiac, MI, April 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1984, 07:22 local (12:22 UTC)
- Place: Pontiac, MI
- Location: 42.6656° N, 83.4205° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at OAKLAND COUNTY INTL (PTK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6656&lon=-83.4205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12392
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12392/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA148

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING AN ILS APCH, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREETOPS WHILE IT WAS SLIGHTLY LEFT OF THE APCH COURSE NEAR THE MIDDLE MARKER. THE PLT CONTINUED TO FLY THE ACFT TO THE RWY & THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 1000 FT BEYOND THE THRESHOLD. AT TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT & SKIDDED TO A STOP BETWEEN THE RWY & A TAXIWAY. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS & THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WERE DAMAGED DURING IMPACT WITH THE TREES. SCRAPE MARKS WERE FOUND ON THE TREAD OF THE RIGHT MAIN TIRE WHICH SHOWED THAT IT HAD SKIDDED ABOUT 90 DEG TO THE PLANE OF ROTATION AS IF IT HAD BEEN COCKED AT TOUCHDOWN. THE PLT STATED THAT SHE WAS CHASING THE NEEDLE DEFLECTION WHILE ON THE ILS APCH & WAS NOT PROPERLY OBSERVING THE ALTIMETER WHEN THE ACFT HIT THE TREES. THE DECISION HEIGHT FOR THE ILS APCH WAS 1180 FT MSL. THE ARPT ELEVATION WAS 980 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3645T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3645T-2002-11-27), registration cancelled 2002-11-27, S/N 6008528161244, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER AEROSTAR 600 (AEROSTAR 6)
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 600](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-600) (registry code 7106001) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 600852816124
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1J5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pdq Air Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1984
- Departed: CMH, COLUMBUS, OH
- Destination: PTK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PTK, Pontiac/Oakland, runway 9R, 6,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,615 total, 250 in this make and model, 103 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK

## 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 19840404008429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840404008429A), Apr 4, 1984: Piper PA60600, Pontiac, MI, Substantial damage. Struck trees descending below mda. Landed on runway minus the right main gear then skidded off the runway.

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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