# NTSB CHI87LA022: Piper PA-28R-200, N578PA, South Bend, IN, November 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1986, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: South Bend, IN
- Location: 41.7082° N, 86.3173° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SOUTH BEND INTL (SBN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7082&lon=-86.3173&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13689
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13689/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA022

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system - undetermined (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - gear extension - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear down and locked - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE AT 7000' MSL, THE PLT ASSUMED THAT HE WAS HAVING AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE BECAUSE HE HAD NOT HEARD ANY ARTCC TRANSMISSIONS, FUEL GAUGES WERE INDICATING LOW FUEL, AMMETER READING WAS ZERO, AND LANDING GEAR WOULD NOT CYCLE. HE SHUT OFF ALL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT EXCEPT COMM AND PROCEEDED TO SOUTH BEND AIRPORT. WHILE PREPARING TO LAND HE CHECKED THE POSITION OF THE OVERRIDE LEVER FOR THE AUTOMATIC EXTENSION OF THE LANDING GEAR, BUT DID NOT TRY TO RAISE AND THEN LOWER THE LEVER AS SUGGESTED UNDER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES IN THE ACFT MANUAL. PLT ALSO STATED HE DID NOT TRY TO YAW THE ACFT WHICH IS ALSO RECOMMENDED IN ACFT MANUAL FOR EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION. ALTHOUGH THE PLT DID TRY TO VERIFY ELECTRICAL FAILURE BY TURNING ON THE PITOT HEAT, HE DID NOT FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE TO SWITCH OFF THE ALTERNATOR FOR ONE SECOND AND THEN BACK ON TO SEE IF THE AMMETER CONTINUED TO INDICATE NO OUTPUT. ACFT LANDED GEAR UP RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N578PA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N578PA-2013-10-31), registration cancelled 2013-10-31, S/N 28R-7535241, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7535241
- Airframe hours: 2542
- Engines: LYCOMING I0360-CIC 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Arrow Flight Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Arrow Flight Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 5, 1986
- Departed: AUM, AUSTIN, MN
- Destination: GRR, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SBN, Michiana Regional, runway 9, 7,099 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 391 total, 333 in this make and model, 347 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN

## 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 19861110054579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861110054579A), Nov 10, 1986: Piper PA28R200, South Bend, IN, Substantial damage. The pilot reported electrical failure and landed the aircraft gear up. Failed to engage auto gear override system.

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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