# NTSB CHI85FA139: Piper PA-32-260, N3974W, Angola, IN, March 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1985, 18:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Angola, IN
- Coordinates: 41.64072, -84.999435 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6407&lon=-84.9994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 4 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12823/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA139

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wing,skin - ice (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. DURING FLIGHT THE ACFT BEGAN TO ACCUMULATE STRUCTURAL ICING. THE PILOT ELECTED TO CONTINUE ON & EVENTUALLY DECIDED TO LAND AT ANGOLA, IN. DURING FINAL TURN THE PILOT SELECTED 10 DEGREES OF FLAPS. THE ACFT THEN DROPPED HITTING THE GROUND IN A FLAT ATTITUDE. THE ACFT SKIDDED ABOUT 265 FEET TO THE EDGE OF RUNWAY 05.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3974W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-885
- Airframe hours: 2334
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Miller Flying Service
- Registered owner: Joseph A. Miller, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1984, 74 hours before
- Departed: LAN, LANSING, MI
- Destination: I14, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ANQ, Tri-State Stevben

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,383 total, 880 in this make and model, 1,283 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANQ

## 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 19850313008769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850313008769A), Mar 13, 1985: Piper PA32260, Angola, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft stalled when flaps extended during precautionary landing due to airframe ice. Impacted ground flat.

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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