# NTSB CHI85FA031: Piper PA-28-181, N30675, Joliet, IL, October 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1984, 22:25 local (Oct 27, 1984, 03:25 UTC)
- Place: Joliet, IL
- Coordinates: 41.509235, -88.179977 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5092&lon=-88.1800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12806
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12806/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA031

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command
  - relinquishing of control - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - aircraft handling - attempted, unqualified person
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - control interference - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A PVT PLT INVITED A CFI TO ACCOMPANY THE X-COUNTRY FLT BECAUSE HE WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AND MARGINAL WX WAS FORECAST. ON RETURN TRIP FROM ATLANTA THE CFI FILED AN IFR FLT PLAN. DURING THE FLT, THE RT FUEL TANK WAS RUN DRY. UPON REACHING THE CHICAGO AREA, THE FLT WAS CLEARED DIRECT JOLIET, DIRECT DUPAGE, AND DESCEND TO 4000 FT. THE PVT PLT STATED THE CFI RELINQUISHED CONROL OF TE ACFT AFTER STATING, 'I HAVE A SEVERE CASE OF VERTIGO.' PVT PLT STATED HE TOOK CONTROL OF THE ACFT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, HE REQUESTED A LANDING AT JOLIET BECAUSE OF LOW FUEL. THE FLT WAS GIVEN RADAR VECTORS TO JOLIET AFTER TE PVT PLT STATED HE COULD NOT FLY AN INSTRUMENT APCH. ARTCC INFORMED THE FLT THEY WERE 'RIGHT OVER THE AIRPORT' HOWEVER, THE PVT PLT STATED THEY NEVER LOCATED IT. HE CONTINUED THAT AFTER DESCENDING TO GROUND CONTACT ALT, THE ENG QUIT AND HE BEGAN LINING UP TO LAND ON A HWY AT WHICH TIME THE CFI 'GRABBED THE YOKE AND PUTUS INTO A STEEP TURN TO THE LEFT RIGHT INTO A GROVE OF TREES.' THE CFI WAS FATALLY INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N30675 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28.7990098
- Airframe hours: 2938
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Anthony T. Carolyn C. Romito
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 13, 1984, 65 hours before
- Departed: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: DPA, WEST CHICAGO, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: JOT, Joliet Park District

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 369 total, 3 in this make and model, 265 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 45 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 19841026058659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841026058659A), Oct 26, 1984: Piper PA28181, Joliet, IL, Destroyed. Unsuccessful approach below minimums. Ran out of fuel during ATC steer. Struck trees. PIC had suffered vertigo.

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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