# NTSB CHI85LA078: Piper PA-24-260, N8921P, Ypsilanti, MI, December 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1984, 17:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Ypsilanti, MI
- Coordinates: 42.239276, -83.61988 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2393&lon=-83.6199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12978
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12978/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA078

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - other system - ice (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE & TWO PARKED CARS DURING A FORCED LANDING WHILE ON A PERSONAL FLT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER A 40 TO 50 MIN GROUND DELAY HE MADE A NORMAL CLIMB TO 5000 FT MSL WHERE HE TRIMMED THE ACFT & LEANED THE MIXTURE TO 75 PERCENT POWER. SHORTLY AFTER THE LEVEL OFF, THE ENG SUDDENLY LOST POWER & FUEL FLOW. THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY & REQUESTED VECTORS TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT. WHEN THE ACFT CAME OUT OF THE OVERCAST AT ABOUT 1000 FT MSL, THE PLT COULD NOT OBTAIN VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE AIRPORT & ELECTED TO LAND IN A PARKING LOT. EXAM OF THE ENG, FOUND WATER AROUND THE ALTERNATE AIR SOURCE DOOR & THE AIR FILTER WAS FROZEN & CLOGGED WITH ICE. A SIGMET WAS IN EFFECT AT THE TIME OF ACC CALLING ROR SEVERE ICING IN CLOUDS & PRECIP FROM THE SURFACE TO 12000 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8921P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8921P), registered now, S/N 24-4377, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (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: 24-4377
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gregory T. Absten
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 29, 1984
- Departed: DTW, DETROIT, MI
- Destination: BFA, BOYNE FALLS, MI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,195 total, 945 in this make and model, 1,175 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: YI[, 1 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 19841226068149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841226068149A), Dec 26, 1984: Piper PA24260, Ypsilanti, MI, Substantial damage. Power loss due to ice in induction air filter. Alternate air source door did not open. Pilot given SIGMET for icing.

## Other investigations on N8921P (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 CHI84LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA047), Nov 18, 1983: Piper PA-24-260 (N8921P), Columbus, OH, substantial damage

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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