# NTSB CHI84LA152: Piper PA-28-161, N8400B, Hoffman Estates, IL, April 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1984, 11:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Hoffman Estates, IL
- Coordinates: 42.070865, -88.090919 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0709&lon=-88.0909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12580/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA152

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER IN A PLOWED FIELD AFTER THE PLT MADE AN OFF-ARPT LANDING. THE PLT SAID HE WAS PRACTICING TURNS AROUND A POINT WHEN HE NOTICED A LOSS OF ALT AND A SPUTTERING OF THE ENGINE. SINCE HE WAS LOW HE DECIDED TO LAND. (THEREWAS A SOD STRIP 1/2 MILE FROM THE FIELD CHOSEN.) DURING THE LANDING ATTEMPT A WING WAS DRAGGED WHILE TURNING TO AVOID WORKMEN AND THE ACFT FINALLY NOSED OVER. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION DID NOT SHOW ANY EVIDENCE OF ENGINE MALFUNCTION NOT CRASH RELATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8400B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116250
- Airframe hours: 1865
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Holiday Airways
- Registered owner: Gale F. Strother
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 3, 1984, 65 hours before
- Departed: 06C, SCHAUMBURG, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 84 total, 84 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 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 19840411013679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840411013679A), Apr 11, 1984: Piper PA28161, Hoffman Estates, IL, Substantial damage. Student reported engine problem caused a forced landing and upset in a muddy field. No engine defects found.

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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