# NTSB CHI84LA134: Piper PA-28-140, N4354J, St. Ignace, MI, March 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1984, 00:58 local (05:58 UTC)
- Place: St. Ignace, MI
- Coordinates: 45.860412, -84.720024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8604&lon=-84.7200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12565
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12565/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA134

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF INTO ADVERSE WX CONDITIONS & FAILED TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR TREES. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO SEARCH FOR A MISSING ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4354J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4354J-1990-04-03), registration cancelled 1990-04-03, S/N 2822732 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-22732
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Great Lakes Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 83D, ST. IGNACE, MI
- Airport: 83D, Mackinac County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PLN, 19 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 19840321006829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840321006829A), Mar 21, 1984: Piper PA28140, St Ignace, MI, Substantial damage. Lost control shortly after takeoff in dense fog and rain. Crashed into trees a mile from the airport.

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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