# NTSB CHI84LA333: Piper PA-22-108, N5881Z, Bloomington, IL, August 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1984, 21:15 local (Aug 4, 1984, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Bloomington, IL
- Coordinates: 40.46902, -88.969596 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4690&lon=-88.9696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12727
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA333
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12727/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA333

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altimeter setting - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

PLT DEPARTED ON LOCAL FLT SHORTLY BEFORE THE TWR CLOSED. PLT RECALLED FINAL TWR TRANSMISSION INCLUDED ALTIMETER SETTING WHICH WAS A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE ON HIS INSTRUMENT. ON RETURN TO THE ARPT, 35 MINS AFTER DEPARTURE, FOG AND HAZE HAD REDUCED VISIBILITY TO ABOUT 2 MILES. ON TURN TO FINAL, ACFT DESCENDED ABOUT 400 FT BELOW NORMAL APPROACH PATH. LANDING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PWR LINES AHEAD. PLT FELT THAT AN EVASIVE PULL-UP MANEUVER WOULD NOT ALLOW CLEARANCE SO POWER WAS ADDED AND ATTEMPT MADE TO FLY UNDER THE LINES WITHOUT A VISUAL GROUND REFERENCE. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A CORN FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5881Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5881Z-2013-04-23), registration cancelled 2013-04-23, S/N 22-9741, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-108
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 229744
- Airframe hours: 2869
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-01 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph E. Gaines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 1983, 39 hours before
- Airport: BMI, Bloomington

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 149 total, 27 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BMI, 2 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 19840803037949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840803037949A), Aug 3, 1984: Piper PA22108, Bloomington, IL, Substantial damage. Flying low, pilot turned from base to final. Saw powerlines and tried to fly under, hit corn in field and crashed.

## Other investigations on N5881Z (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI76FEV65](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEV65), Sep 5, 1976: Piper PA-22 (N5881Z), Leroy, IL, substantial damage

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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