# NTSB CHI86FET02: Piper PA-28-180, N8226W, Syracuse, IN, June 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1986, 08:36 local (13:36 UTC)
- Place: Syracuse, IN
- Coordinates: 41.41994, -85.740051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4199&lon=-85.7401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FET02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13336/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FET02

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, maneuvering
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A LAKE WHILE MAKING A FAREWELL LOW PASS AT FRIENDS ON THE LAKESHORE. HE CAME OVER THE LAKE TOWARD HIS FRIENDS AT SUCH A LOW ALT THAT HE HAD TO PULL UP TO GET OVER THE TREES. HE COMMENCED A STEEP RT TURN WHICH PROGRESSED INTO A DESCENT WITH THE ACFT RT WING CONTACTING THE WATER, BEGINNING THE CRASH SEQUENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8226W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8226W-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 282360 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2360
- Airframe hours: 2193
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lewis H. Schlechtweg
- Registered owner: Hallweg, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1986, 51 hours before
- Departed: GSH, GOSHEN, IN
- Destination: 2IN2, MT. COMFORT, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 397 total, 397 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 32 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 19860623026409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860623026409A), Jun 23, 1986: Piper PA28180, Syracuse, IN, Destroyed. During low flight and pullup, pilot lost control of aircraft and it crashed into a lake.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.