# NTSB CHI84LA337: Piper PA-28-161, N3573C, Manchester, OH, August 12, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1984, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Manchester, OH
- Coordinates: 38.690395, -83.599044 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6904&lon=-83.5990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA337
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA337

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - elevator - inadvertent use, passenger (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - reduced, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE PILOT WAS FLYING LOW ON A FLY-BY FOR PHOTOGRAPHS. ADJUSTING HER SEAT, THE PASSENGER HIT THE CONTROL YOKE, THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED DOWN AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THE PILOT RECOVERED CONTROL AND COMPLETED A SAFE LANDING AT AN AIRPORT 15 MILES AWAY. THE OUTBOARD 4 FEET OF THE LEFT WING HAD BEEN TORN OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3573C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3573C-1991-01-15), registration cancelled 1991-01-15, S/N 288016187 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8016187
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael P. Kelly
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FGX, FLEMINGSBURG, KY
- Destination: GEOQ, GEORGETOWN, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 64 total, 30 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19840812039889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840812039889A), Aug 12, 1984: Piper PA28161, Manchester, OH, Substantial damage. Aircraft wing struck tree during low pass over airport when passenger moved and struck control wheel.

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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