# NTSB CHI85FA357: Piper PA-28-235, N8571W, Worthington, MN, August 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1985, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Worthington, MN
- Coordinates: 43.620414, -95.589401 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6204&lon=-95.5894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12865
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA357
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12865/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA357

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, passenger (cause)
  - incapacitation(other cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD PROGREESED 16 MILES ON A 95 MILE X-COUNTRY FLT WHEN IT WAS WITNESSED IN LOW FLT OVER A CORN FLD. THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 200 FT AGL WHEN IT ENTERED A DESCENDING RIGHT POWER ON TURN UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. AN AUTOPSY REPORT ON THE PLT DISCLOSED, 'ATHEROSCLEROTIC CORONARY VASCULAR DISEASE, MODERATE TO FOCALLY SEVERE' WAS PRESENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8571W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8571W-1991-03-27), registration cancelled 1991-03-27, S/N 2810083 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-20083
- Airframe hours: 2573
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J & M Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1985, 30 hours before
- Departed: D03, SIBLEY, IA
- Destination: MKT, MANKATO, MN
- Airport: OTG, Worthington

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 687 total, 123 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSD, 52 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 19850825040119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850825040119A), Aug 25, 1985: Piper STCPA28, Worthington, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into lowering visibility, lost control, impacted ground. Had severe atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease.

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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