# NTSB CHI87FA104: Piper PA-32-300, N452BH, Frankfort, IL, March 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1987, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Frankfort, IL
- Coordinates: 41.489166, -87.830413 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4892&lon=-87.8304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13636
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87FA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13636/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA104

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS LOST AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO DESCEND TO HIS ASSIGNED ALTITUDE OF 5000 FEET FROM EXCESSIVE CLIMB. HE WAS IN IFR CONDITIONS AT THE TIME. THE AIRFRAME BROKE APART, EMPENNAGE FIRST, DURING THE UNCONTROLLED DESCENT TO THE GROUND DUE TO HIGH SPEED STRUCTURAL OVERLOAD. THE PILOT HAD JUST RECEIVED HIS INSTRUMENT RATING AND HAD APPROX TWO TENTHS OF AN HOUR OF UNSUPERVISED INSTRUMENT TIME ALL OF WHICH WAS ACCOMPLISHED ON THIS LAST FLIGHT. A WITNESS SAW THE ACFT FALL OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE OVERCAST. THE PLT THOUGHT HIS ASSIGNED ALTITUDE WAS 6000 FEET AND HAD TO BE ADVISED OF TRAFFIC AT 6000 FEET BY ATC. THE PLT RADIOED THAT HE FILED FOR 6000 FT BUT WOULD GO TO FIVE. THIS WAS THE LAST RADIO CONTACT BEFORE THE RADAR CONTACT WENT TO COAST MODE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N452BH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7440068
- Airframe hours: 2120
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James S. Clark
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1986, 114 hours before
- Departed: MDW, CHICAGO, IL
- Destination: IKK, KANKAKEE, IL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 810 total, 104 in this make and model, 517 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MDW, 20 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 19870327007579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870327007579A), Mar 27, 1987: Piper PA32300, Frankfort, IL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control during IFR flight. Exceeded design load. Aircraft broke up in flight. Vacuum pump no rotation damage.

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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