# NTSB CHI87FA057: Piper PA-32-301, N8281Y, Wheeling, IL, December 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1986, 16:26 local (22:26 UTC)
- Place: Wheeling, IL
- Coordinates: 42.12981, -87.919548 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1298&lon=-87.9195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13626
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87FA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13626/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA057

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED FLIGHT ALTHOUGH PIREP'S FOR ICING HAD BEEN ISSUED DURING WEATHER BRIEFING FROM FSS AND AIRCRAFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR ICING CONDITIONS. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, PILOT REPORTED TO ATC PROBLEMS WITH AIRCRAFT FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS AND THEN REPORTED PICKING UP ABOUT ONE-HALF INCH OF ICE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE LOST THEN REGAINED CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AT LEAST ONCE DURING THE FLIGHT. AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES OF ATC CONTACT, THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING. DURING LANDING ROLLOUT THE AIRCRAFT OVERRAN RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A GUARDRAIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8281Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8281Y), registered now, S/N 328106003, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8106003
- Airframe hours: 1321
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Tradewinds Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Heart Flying Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 11, 1986, 28 hours before
- Departed: PWK
- Destination: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PWK, Pal-Waukee, runway 6R, 2,031 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 539 total, 33 in this make and model, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWK, 1 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 19861229069639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861229069639A), Dec 29, 1986: Piper PA32301, Chicago/Wheelin, IL, Substantial damage. Entered a spin due to heavy airframe ice. Recovered but overshot runway on landing and hit a guard rail. Known icing

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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