# NTSB CHI85FA368: Piper PA28R-200, N55024, Ravenna, OH, September 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1985, 14:22 local (18:22 UTC)
- Place: Ravenna, OH
- Coordinates: 41.150119, -81.239303 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1501&lon=-81.2393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FA368
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12866/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FA368

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - motivation, pilot in command
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - total, pilot in command
- Abrupt maneuver, descent - uncontrolled
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - failure,total
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT CONTINUED VMC INTO IMC. THE PILOT CONTRACTED YOUNGSTOWN ATCT FOR ASSISTANCE. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT PORTIONS OF THE AIRCRAFT SEPARATED. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A WX BRIEFING BEING OBTAINED BY THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N55024 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28R-200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7335169
- Airframe hours: 2435
- Engines: LYCOMING I0-360-CIC 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William T. Roberts
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 24, 1985, 44 hours before
- Departed: VPZ, VALPARAISO, IN
- Destination: 981, MARLBORO, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 100 total, 32 in this make and model, 44 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: YNG, 25 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 19850906043509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850906043509A), Sep 6, 1985: Piper PA28R200, Ravenna, OH, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Inflight airframe failure following loss of control while flying in the clouds. Pilot was not instrument rated.

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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