# NTSB CHI86FA122: Piper PA-28-140, N4491J, Westville, IN, April 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1986, 18:26 local (Apr 18, 1986, 00:26 UTC)
- Place: Westville, IN
- Coordinates: 41.5302, -86.899871 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5302&lon=-86.8999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13254
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13254/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA122

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS TAKING A FRIEND AND TWO OF HER ACQUAINTANCES ON A SIGHTSEEING RIDE WHEN THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A PLOWED FARM FIELD. THE ACFT'S WEIGHT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 60 LBS UNDER MAX ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. A WITNESS NEAR THE CRASH STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING LOW, CLEARING A POWERLINE JUST BEFORE THE CRASH. SHE SAID THE ACFT WAS NOSE LOW AND TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S LOGBOOK REVEALED THAT THE PLT HAD 133.4 HOURS WITH 5.6 HOURS LOGGED IN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4491J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-22909
- Airframe hours: 1982
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mark Murvihill, doing business as Murvihill Aero Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hyzer Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1985, 66 hours before
- Departed: VPZ, VALPARAISO, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 133 total, 19 in this make and model, 73 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 28 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 19860417014849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860417014849A), Apr 17, 1986: Piper PA28140, Westville, IN, Destroyed, 3 fatal. The aircraft impacted the ground for undetermined reasons during sightseeing flight. No mechanical malfunctions.

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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