# NTSB CHI86FA033: Piper PA-28-161, N8082B, Duluth, MN, November 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1985, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Duluth, MN
- Coordinates: 46.759506, -92.269134 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7595&lon=-92.2691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13232
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13232/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA033

## Sequence of events

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

- Undetermined, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED CRYSTAL LAKE FOR A FLIGHT TO VISIT RELATIVES FOR THANKSGIVING. HE DID NOT OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING NOR DID HE CONTACT ANY GROUND FACILITY DURING THE FLIGHT. HE WAS QUALIFIED TO FLY IN VFR CONDITIONS ONLY. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE SURFACE OF A FROZEN LAKE EIGHT MILES FROM DULUTH IAP AND WAS DESTROYED. AN EXAM- INATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NOTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE AN INFLIGHT PROBLEM. WEATHER AT DULUTH IAP AT THE APPROX TIME OF THE CRASH WAS: EST 1000 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 1 1/2 MILES WITH LIGHT SNOW AND FOG. WEATHER AT DULUTH 40 MIN BEFORE THIS OBSERVATION WAS: 200 FT CEILING, SKY OBSCURED. VISIBILITY 3/4 MILE WITH LIGHT SNOW AND FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8082B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8082B-1989-08-15), registration cancelled 1989-08-15, S/N 288016058 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8016058
- Airframe hours: 1960
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thunderbird Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 16, 1985, 40 hours before
- Departed: MIC, CRYSTAL, MN
- Destination: DLH, DULUTH, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 110 total, 104 in this make and model, 73 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 3 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLH, 8 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 19851128058189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851128058189A), Nov 28, 1985: Piper PA28161, Duluth, MN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. VFR pilot flew into IFR conditions. Lost control and impacted frozen lake. Did not obtain weather briefing.

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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