# NTSB CHI85LA205: Piper PA-28-235, N8521N, Valparaiso, IN, May 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1985, 19:30 local (May 22, 1985, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Valparaiso, IN
- Coordinates: 41.469188, -87.049812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4692&lon=-87.0498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13074
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13074/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA205

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - dispatch procedures - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT CONTACTED A DITCH FOLLOWING A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLL. PLT REPORTED, 'MORE EXPERIENCE IN HANDLING CROSSWINDS' COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8521N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8521N), registered now, S/N 28-11319, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2811319
- Airframe hours: 1575
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack O. Kneifel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LAF, LAFAYETTE, IN
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: VPZ, Porter County, runway 9, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 674 total, 342 in this make and model, 192 as pilot in command, 302 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850521021569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850521021569A), May 21, 1985: Piper PA28235, Valparaiso, IN, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on rollout in severe crosswind. Student was on a solo flight. Ran off runway into a ditch.

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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