# NTSB CHI88DET01: Piper PA-28-181, N3003M, Fort Wayne, IN, January 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1988, 20:45 local (Jan 5, 1988, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Fort Wayne, IN
- Coordinates: 41.100402, -85.120567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1004&lon=-85.1206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13899
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DET01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13899/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DET01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - utility pole
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PILOT ON NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WITH CLEAR, VERY COLD WEATHER, EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE CRUISING AT 7500 FEET MSL. APPROACH CONTROL GAVE POSITION OF CLOSEST FIELD, BUT PILOT ELECTED TO CONTINUE TO DESTINATION WHICH WAS FIVE MILES FARTHER. WHEN PILOT REALIZED HE COULD NOT MAKE INTENDED DESTINATION, HE ACCEPTED VECTORS TO CLOSEST FIELD. PILOT DID NOT THINK THAT FIELD COULD BE MADE AND ELECTED TO MAKE A LANDING ON HIGHWAY. THE ACFT HIT A LIGHT POLE WHILE MANUEVERING FOR A SHORT FINAL APPROACH WITH THE HIGHWAY. ENGINE INSPECTION COULD FIND NO DEFECTS. ENGINE RAN WELL AND PRODUCED NORMAL POWER IN TEST CELL. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS ONLY 2200 RPM AT FULL THROTTLE BOTH ON THE GROUND AND IN CRUISE. HE FURTHER STATED THAT HE WAS NOT UTILIZING THE WINTERIZATION KIT. THE MAXIMUM OIL TEMP WAS 8O DEGREES F. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER, OPERATION AT SEVERE TEMPERATURES CAN ALLOW MINUTE ICE PARTICLES TO COLLECT ON THE CARBURETOR INLET SCREEN AND BLOCK SOME OR ALL OF THE FUEL FLOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3003M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3003M-1988-11-21), registration cancelled 1988-11-21, S/N 287890283 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7890283
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Decatur Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 23, 1987, 19 hours before
- Departed: DVN, DAVENPORT, IA
- Destination: FWA, FORT WAYNE, IN
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 122 total, 41 in this make and model, 73 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 16 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 1 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA, 9 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 19880104000879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880104000879A), Jan 4, 1988: Piper PA28181, Fort Wayne, IN, Substantial damage. Engine lost partial power en route then quit. Crash landed on a highway. No winter oil baffle. Temperature two degrees

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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