# NTSB CHI86FA031: Piper PA-28-161, N2170X, Washington Twp., IN, November 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1985, 13:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Washington Twp., IN
- Coordinates: 41.049659, -85.239822 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0497&lon=-85.2398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13231
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13231/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA031

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PAX WERE RETURNING FROM A XCOUNTRY FLT. WHILE ON A LONG FINAL APPROACH THE ACFT WAS WITNESSED TO STALL AND FALL OFF ON THE LEFT WG. THE ACFT THEN DESCENDED INTO A WOODED AREA CAUSING LEFT WG SEPARATION AND THEN IMPACTED A CREEK BANK. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE CUMULATIVE FLT & GROUND TAXI TIME SINCE REFUELING WOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH TO ACCOUNT FOR FUEL EXHAUSTION, EVEN WITH GOOD FUEL MANAGEMENT DURING THE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2170X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7916346
- Airframe hours: 3311
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bowman Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Edward F. Nix
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 6, 1985, 18 hours before
- Departed: CVG, COVINGTON, KY
- Destination: SMD, FORT WAYNE, IN
- Airport: SMD, Smithfield

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 170 total, 71 in this make and model, 132 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA, 11 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 19851121058029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851121058029A), Nov 21, 1985: Piper PA28161, Fort Wayne, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine failed on final due to fuel exhaustion. Aircraft spun into wooded area. Pilot failed to check fuel quantity.

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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