# NTSB CHI85FA354: Piper PA-28RT-201, N3074K, Wilmington, OH, August 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1985, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, OH
- Coordinates: 39.440773, -83.829147 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4408&lon=-83.8291&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): 12863
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA354
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12863/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA354

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING ON A SOUTH CASTERLY HEADING OF APPROXIMATELY 150' AT A LOW ALTITUDE WHEN HE STRUCK A SET OF STATIC LINES AT APPROXIMATELY 170' AGL. THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER AND HIT THE TERRAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 60, NOSE DOWN IN A STAND OF CORN. THE PILOT WAS FLYING PIPELINE PATROL & MADE AN ENTRY OR HIS FLIGHT LOG AT STATION 16 AT 1414 EDT

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3074K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3074K-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 28R7918011 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7918011
- Airframe hours: 1692
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mc Mahan Aviation. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 24, 1985, 93 hours before
- Departed: I67, HARRISON, OH
- Destination: CXY, HARRISBURG, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,574 total, 650 in this make and model, 4,472 as pilot in command, 336 in the last 90 days, 91 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY, 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 19850820039589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850820039589A), Aug 20, 1985: Piper PA28RT201, Wilmington, OH, Destroyed. Struck powerlines, then ground while on pipeline patrol. Pilot made logbook entry at 1414 EDT. Hit lines at 1415.

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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