# NTSB CHI84LA150: Piper PA-28R-200, N56738, Lafayette, IN, April 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1984, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Lafayette, IN
- Coordinates: 40.420394, -86.769309 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4204&lon=-86.7693&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): 12578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA150

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - mixture - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,static
  - object
  - object - vehicle
  - compensation for wind conditions - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING ACCURACY LANDINGS WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE ACFT HAD BLOWN AWAY FROM THE RWY. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE THE THROTTLE SETTING THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. IN AN ATTEMPT TO LAND ON A HIGHWAY ON-RAMP THE ACFT STRUCK AN ELECTRIC WIRE, A STREET SIGN & AN AUTOMOBILE. AN ON-GROUND FIRE INSUED. THE PROP CONTROL WAS FOUND IN HIGH PITCH, THE MIXTURE CONTROL IN IDLE CUTOFF & THE THROTTLE FULL OPEN. DUE TO SIMILARITY OF THE MIXTURE & PROP CONTROL KNOBS THE MIXTURE CONTROL MAY HAVE BEEN LEANED IN LIEU OF MOVING THE PROP CONTROL TO HIGH PITCH IN PREPARATION FOR THE ACCURACY LANDING. AN ENGINE RUN WAS SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISHED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56738](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56738-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N 28R-7435037, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7435037
- Airframe hours: 3937
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aretz Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 15, 1983, 50 hours before
- Airport: 3AR, Aretz

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 248 total, 10 in this make and model, 113 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 10 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 19840408008829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840408008829A), Apr 8, 1984: Piper PA28R200, Lafayette, IN, Destroyed. Struck wires off approach end of the runway. Claimed engine failed. Engine ran normal on post accident test.

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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