# NTSB CHI84FA342: Piper PA28-140E, N5770U, Montmorenci, IN, August 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1984, 08:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Montmorenci, IN
- Location: 40.4727° N, 87.0266° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Montmorenci, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4727&lon=-87.0266&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): 12419
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA342
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12419/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA342

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - wire,transmission
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED WHILE ON A X-COUNTRY PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION FLT. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, THE PLT TELEPHONED A RELATIVE AT THE DESTINATION, 118 MILES AWAY, & HAD BEEN INFORMED THAT THE FLT CONDITIONS (WX) AT BRAZIL WERE GOOD. THE PLT DID NOT OBTAIN A WX BRIEFING OR FILE A FLT PLAN. THE PLT STATED THAT HE DEPARTED IN VFR FLT CONDITIONS & WHILE CRUISING BETWEEN '1800 & 2000 FT RAN INTO A HEAVY FOG'. AT THIS TIME HE WAS APPROX 69 MI SOUTH & REPORTED HE STARTED A LT TURN INTENDING TO RETURN TO VFR CONDITIONS. THE ACFT DESCENDED DUING THE TURN & STRUCK THE BOTTOM CABLE OF A HIGH LINE 80 FT AGL. THE PLT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED & THE PASSENGER KILLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5770U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5770U-1985-04-10), registration cancelled 1985-04-10, S/N 28-26594 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-140E
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-26594
- Airframe hours: 4019
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: T. L. Smith
- Registered owner: T.L. &F.M. Talmage
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 12, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: 3HO, HOBART, IN
- Destination: 012, BRAZIL, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 173 total, 168 in this make and model, 94 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 131 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 6 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 19840811039749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840811039749A), Aug 11, 1984: Piper PA28140, Montmorenci, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft struck wires while turning back due to fog. Pilot had not checked weather before departure.

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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