# NTSB CHI85FA165: Piper PA-30, N8007Y, Worthington, IN, April 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1985, 14:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Worthington, IN
- Coordinates: 39.109474, -86.969451 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1095&lon=-86.9695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12828
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12828/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA165

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - ignition system,magneto - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,spark plug - pressure too low (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,ignition coil - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - improper (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE ACFT STALLED AND CRASHED IN A FLD AFTER THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY STATING HE WAS LOSING PWR ON THE RIGHT ENG AND HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN ALT. AT 1405 EST, THE ACFT WAS TOLD TO CONTACT HULMAN APCH WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO DESCEND TO 3000 FT MSL. THE MODE C TRANSPONDER INDICATED THE ACFT WAS BELOW 3000 FT AND A CLEARANCE TO 2600 FT WAS ISSUED AT WHICH TIME THE PLT REPORTED THE RIGHT ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT WAS GIVEN VECTORS TO A NEARBY ARPT, HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE IT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A NEAR 60 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE RIGHT ENG FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE RIGHT MAIN TANK WHICH WAS EMPTY. THE RIGHT ENG FUEL SELECTOR WAS ALSO CORRODED. THE RIGHT MAG COILS ON THE RIGHT ENG SHOWED SIGNS OF CRACKING WHEN HOT. THE RIGHT ENG SPARK PLUGS WERE TESTED AND 90% OF THE PLUGS WOULD NOT FIRE ABOVE 50 PSI PRESSURE. THE RIGHT PROP WAS NOT FEATHERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8007Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-1113
- Airframe hours: 2729
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jasper F Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MLB, MELBOURNE, FL
- Destination: HUF, TERRE HAUTE, IN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,600 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BMG, 30 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 19850415019209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850415019209A), Apr 15, 1985: Piper PA30, Worthington, IN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Right engine quit. Fuel selector on empty tank. Failure to feather prop. Airspeeed below VMC caused control loss.

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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