# NTSB CHI85FA258: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N39554, Merom, IN, June 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1985, 10:09 local (15:09 UTC)
- Place: Merom, IN
- Coordinates: 39.049697, -87.560516 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0497&lon=-87.5605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12849/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA258

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command
  - became lost/disoriented - continued, pilot in command
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command
  - vfr procedures - not maintained, pilot in command
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - flight control,stabilator - flutter (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control,stabilator - failure,total (cause)
  - wing - overload (cause)
  - wing - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A VISUAL FLIGHT FROM FAIRFIELD IOWA TO INDIANAPOLIS, IN AND WAS ABOUT 55 MAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF COURSE WHEN THE AIRCRAFT BROKE UP IN FLIGHT. THE MAIN WRECKAGE, EMPENNAGE, AND OUTER WING SECTIONS LANDED WITHIN ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE OF EACH OTHER IN MEROM, INDIANA. WEATHER AND RAIN SHOWERS WERE N THE AREA AT THE TIME. THE FLIGHT WAS NOT ON A FLIGHT PLAN AT THE TIME AND THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT LAST REPORTED HIS ALTITUDE AS 12,500 FEET. FAA FLIGHT SERVICE STATION  PERSONNEL HAD BRIEFED THE PILOT ON MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS ENROUTE AND RECOMMENDED A MORE NORTHERLY COURSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39554](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39554-1989-08-08), registration cancelled 1989-08-08, S/N 32R7887107 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7887107
- Airframe hours: 860
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-51AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Samuel P. Rozen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1985, 25 hours before
- Departed: FFL, FAIRFIELD, IA
- Destination: INDIANAPOLIS, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 277 total, 125 in this make and model, 222 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850628028469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850628028469A), Jun 28, 1985: Piper PA32RT300T, Merom, IN, Destroyed. The aircraft broke up from overstress. VFR pilot attempted high altitude operation in IFR weather conditions.

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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