# NTSB CHI84FA369: Piper PA-28RT-201, N4355N, Muncie, IN, August 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1984, 10:57 local (15:57 UTC)
- Place: Muncie, IN
- Coordinates: 40.190746, -85.390907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1907&lon=-85.3909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12425
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA369
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12425/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA369

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT WHEN THE ACFT WAS TAKING OFF, THE ENG SOUNDED 'ROUGH & WAS BACKFIRING.'  THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT CROSS THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY AT A LOWER ALT & SLOWER SPEED THAN WHAT THEY CONSIDERED AS NORMAL. THEY SAW THE ACFT'S WINGS ROCK, THEN OBSERVED THE ACFT TO ENTER A STEEP LEFT TURN BACK TOWARD THE ARPT. WHILE TURNING, THE GEAR EXTENDED AS THE ACFT WAS APPROACHING TO CROSS OVER A TREELINE. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE LEFT WING HIT A TREE (73 FT AGL), THEN THE ACFT CRASHED & WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE AND A TEARDOWN OF THE ENG DID NOT REVEAL THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS. BOTH FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS WERE RATED PLTS. THE OCCUPANT IN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT BFR, BUT THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT PLT WAS A CERTIFIED FLT INSTRUCTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4355N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4355N), registered now, S/N 28R-8431023, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R8431023
- Airframe hours: 69
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Munci Aviation Co.
- Registered owner: Piper Aircraft Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MIE
- Destination: MGY, DAYTON, OH
- Airport: Johnson Field, runway 20, 4,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 845 total, 25 in this make and model, 716 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIE, 1 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 19840829044339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840829044339A), Aug 29, 1984: Piper PA28RT201T, Muncie, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine rough and sputtering after takeoff. Witnesses said aircraft did not climb. Crashed into trees and burned.

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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