# NTSB CHI85LA085: Piper PA-32-301, N83187, Wheeling, IL, January 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1985, 19:07 local (Jan 10, 1985, 01:07 UTC)
- Place: Wheeling, IL
- Coordinates: 42.130935, -87.920181 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1309&lon=-87.9202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12984
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12984/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA085

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of experience, pilot in command
  - directional control - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - brittle fracture
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)
- Fire, landing - roll
  - wing - leak
  - wing - arcing
  - wing - fire

## Analysis

THE LOW TIME PILOT WITH SIX POB WAS LD AT DARK NIGHT LIGHT SAW SHOWERS AND ICY PATCHES ON RUNWAY DURING ROLLOUT THE ACFT ENTERED A SKID WITH NOSE COCKED TO THE LEFT THE LEFT MAIN GEAR FAILED OUTBOARD AND THE ACFT EXITED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY THE LEFT WING STRUCK AND WAS PENETRATED BY THE RWY EDGE LIGHTS RESULTING IN A MINOR FUEL TANK FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83187](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83187), registered now, S/N 32-8106028, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 328106028
- Airframe hours: 1434
- Engines: LYCOMING IO540-KIG5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Holiday Airways
- Registered owner: Robert J. Ficek
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1984
- Departed: 06C, SCHAUMBURG, IL
- Destination: PWK, WHEELING, IL
- Airport: PWK, Pal Waukee, runway 16, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 7 in this make and model, 81 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NBU, 7 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 19850109001259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850109001259A), Jan 9, 1985: Piper PA32301, Wheeling, IL, Substantial damage. Gear collapsed as aircraft slid sideways on landing. Struck runway lights puncturing fuel cell, small fire erupted.

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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