# NTSB CHI85FA120: Piper PA-31T, N100RN, Utica, MI, February 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1985, 20:00 local (Feb 23, 1985, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Utica, MI
- Location: 42.6287° N, 83.0233° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Utica, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6287&lon=-83.0233&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12819/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA120

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - in-flight planning/decision - not corrected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - minimum descent altitude - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A VOR APPROACH AND MISSED. HE ADVISED ATC HE WAS GOING TO ATTEMPT THE NDB & IF HE COULD NOT SEE THE RWY HE WOULD GO TO METRO AT DETROIT OR PONTIAC. ON THE NDB APPROACH THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES 960 FT BELOW THE MOA. THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER LANDING ON THE NOSE & TOP OF THE FUSELAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N100RN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N100RN-1991-04-26), registration cancelled 1991-04-26, S/N 31T7820091 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t) (registry code 7103124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31T-7820091
- Airframe hours: 1516
- Engines: P&W PT 6A-28 620 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norment Industries, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 12, 1985, 23 hours before
- Departed: MGM, MONTGOMERY, AL
- Destination: UIZ, UTICA, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: UIZ, Berz-Macomb, runway 22, 4,220 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 0° at 3 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MTC, 7 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 19850222006949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850222006949A), Feb 22, 1985: Piper PA31T, Utica, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Descended into trees while making an approach in foggy conditions. Aircraft rolled over and struck terrain.

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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