# NTSB CHI85LA046: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N22267, Bloomington, IN, November 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1984, 17:43 local (22:43 UTC)
- Place: Bloomington, IN
- Coordinates: 39.16093, -86.519538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1609&lon=-86.5195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12954
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12954/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA046

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - engine accessories,vacuum pump - failure,total (cause)
  - autopilot/flight director - inoperative
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - autopilot - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - inadvertent (cause)
  - object - approach light/navaid (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT STATED THAT WHILE IN CRUISE FLT, THE ACFT NOSE PITCHED DOWN ABRUPTLY. PLT DISENGAGED THE AUTOPILOT AND NOTED VACUUM SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. FLT CONTINUED ON MANUAL CONTROL WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT UNTIL LATE FINAL APPROACH AT DESTINATION. WHEN FLAPS WERE LOWERED, NOSE AGAIN PITCHED DOWN AND LEFT WING CONTACTED AN APPROACH LIGHT. PLT REGAINED CONTROL AND LANDED SUCCESSFULLY. AFTER THE LNDG IT WAS NOTICED THE AUTOPILOT SWITCH WAS ENGAGED. VACUUM PUMP FAILURE DUE TO NORMAL WEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N22267](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22267-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 32R-7887252, built 1978 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA-32RT-300T
- Airframe hours: 1645
- Engines: LYCOMING TSIO-540-S1AD 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raymond R. Roberts
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 1983
- Departed: H88, FREDRICKTOWN, MO
- Destination: BMG, BLOOMINGTON, IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BMG, Monroe County, runway 35, 5,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,734 total, 1,467 in this make and model, 2,650 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BMG

## 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 19841111061359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841111061359A), Nov 11, 1984: Piper PA32RT300T, Bloomington, IN, Substantial damage. Vacuum pump shaft failed, attitude indicator tumbled. Auto pilot pitched down short final, wing hit approach light.

## Other investigations on N22267 (1)

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.

- [NTSB CEN15LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA149), Feb 20, 2015: Piper PA 32RT-300T (N22267), Lubbock, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff after the airplane did not lift off as expected due to an inaccurate airspeed indication and tailwind condition, which resulted in a subsequent…

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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