# NTSB CHI87LA016: Piper PA-28-181, N8112T, Lafayette, IN, November 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1986, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Lafayette, IN
- Coordinates: 40.419528, -86.770309 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4195&lon=-86.7703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13685
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13685/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - bird(s) (cause)
  - flight control,elevator - failure,partial (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT A BIRD STRIKE WAS ENCOUNTERED WHILE PRACTICING STEEP TURNS AT ABOUT 2500' MSL. THE HORIZONTAL STABILATOR WAS DAMAGED TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS BARELY OPERATIVE. LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY USING EXTREME FORWARD PRESSURE TO THE YOKE TO COUNTERACT THE SEVERE PITCH UP AND ALSO A POWER REDUCTION TO HELP LOWER THE NOSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8112T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8090127
- Airframe hours: 2013
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles Beene
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 1986, 74 hours before
- Departed: 3HM, LAFAYETTE, IN
- Destination: 3HM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,260 total, 550 in this make and model, 933 as pilot in command, 330 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 7 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 19861102053399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861102053399A), Nov 2, 1986: Piper PA28181, Lafayette, IN, Substantial damage. The aircraft was struck by a bird inflight. The horizontal stabilizer was damaged but the aircraft landed safely.

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.