# NTSB CHI85FEI01: Piper PA-32R-301T, N8462U, Sandusky, OH, November 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1984, 18:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Sandusky, OH
- Coordinates: 41.45074, -82.710296 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4507&lon=-82.7103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12879
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FEI01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12879/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FEI01

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AT NIGHT DURING A SHORT FINAL APPROACH TO LAND AND CRASHED TO THE GROUND IN THE BACK YARD OF A PRIVATE RESIDENCE. THE PLT, WHO WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT, SAID HE FLEW A NORMAL PATTERN INTO A 15-20 KT WIND WHEN TREE LIMBS APPEARED IN THE LANDING LIGHTS JUST BEFORE THE COLLISION & GRND IMPACT. THE WX WAS VMC WITH 5000 FT SCATTERED CLOUDS, VISIBILITY 15 MILES, WIND350 DEGREES AT 10 KTS. UNICOM REPORTED THE WIND AS OUT OF THE NORTH AT 15 TO 20 KTS. ALL ACFT COMPONENT PARTS WERE FOUND AT THE SCENE EXCEPT FOR SMALL WINGTIP FIBERGLASS PIECES. THE PLT & PASS'G ARE RECOVERING FROM THEIR INJURIES

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8462U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8462U-2014-12-03), registration cancelled 2014-12-03, S/N 32R-8229008, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R8229008
- Airframe hours: 537
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-51AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Indust'L Equip. Rep. Svc.Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 24, 1983, 211 hours before
- Departed: ZGZ, STEUBENVILLE, OH
- Destination: SKY, SANDUSKY, OH
- Airport: SKY, Sandusky, runway 36, 2,600 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,404 total, 40 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOL, 60 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 19841119063379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841119063379A), Nov 19, 1984: Piper PA32R301T, Sandusky, OH, Destroyed. Struck trees on short final, impacted ground. Night landing.

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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