# NTSB CHI86FA141: Piper PA-34-200, N44603, Angola, IN, May 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1986, 22:58 local (May 18, 1986, 02:58 UTC)
- Place: Angola, IN
- Coordinates: 41.639091, -85.000434 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6391&lon=-85.0004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13257
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13257/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA141

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system - erratic (contributing factor)
- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,visual apch slope ind(vasi) - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - residence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT DIVERTED INTO ANGOLA, AN AIRFIELD HE HAD NEVER LANDED AT BEFORE, DUE TO AN UNIDENTIFIED ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AT NIGHT. HE WAS GIVEN VECTORS TO THE AIRPORT AND REPORTED THE FIELD IN SIGHT. HE THEN SAID HE WAS GOING TO CIRCLE TO LOSE ALTITUDE PRIOR TO LANDING. ON VISUAL FINAL APPROACH, HE STRUCK THE ROOF OF A HOUSE AND CRASH LANDED ON A ROAD. HE WAS APPROX 1 DEGREE BELOW STANDARD GLIDE SLOPE WHEN HE STRUCK THE HOUSE. A LARGE QUANTITY OF UNSECURED PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN THE REAR OF THE PLANE FLEW FORWARD UPON IMPACT. THE PILOT WAS NOT WEARING THE SHOULDER HARNESS INSTALLED ABOVE HIS SEAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N44603 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7450214
- Airframe hours: 1369
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Winston B. Cenac
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 1986, 12 hours before
- Departed: BTL, BATTLE CREEK, MI
- Destination: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ANG, Tri-State Steuben County, runway 23, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,352 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,252 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA, 45 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 19860517017819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860517017819A), May 17, 1986: Piper PA34200, Angola, IN, Destroyed. Aircraft struck a house on a night approach for a precautionary landing. Pilot had reported electrical problems.

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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