# NTSB CHI86FA200: Piper PA-28-235, N4383X, Shelby, IN, August 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1986, 00:00 local (05:00 UTC)
- Place: Shelby, IN
- Coordinates: 41.189926, -87.340202 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1899&lon=-87.3402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13273
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13273/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA200

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT INITIATED THE VFR FLIGHT FROM WHEELING, IL, TO MADISON, IN, IN MARGINAL WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ON THE AFTERNOON OF THE FOLLOWING DAY ABOUT 26 MILES SOUTH OF GARY, IN. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED AN IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP WHEREIN BOTH WINGS, THE RIGHT STABILATOR AND THE VERTICAL FIN AND RUDDER SEPARATED. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE BREAKUP OCCURRED BECAUSE OF AERODYNAMIC FORCES THAT EXCEEDED THE DESIGN LIMITATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4383X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4383X-1989-06-13), registration cancelled 1989-06-13, S/N 287610016 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287610016
- Airframe hours: 3059
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hall'S Laundries, Inc.
- Registered owner: Halls Laundries Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1986, 45 hours before
- Departed: PWK, WHEELING, IL
- Destination: IMS, MADISON, IN
- Airport: GYY, Gary Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 155 total, 15 in this make and model, 118 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GYY, 26 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 19860806037799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860806037799A), Aug 6, 1986: Piper PA28235, Shelby, IN, Destroyed, 3 fatal. The aircraft broke up in flight. Suspect VFR pilot lost control in IFR conditions and overstressed the airframe.

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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