# NTSB CHI88DEX01: Piper PA-24-250, N6487P, Salem, IN, January 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1988, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Salem, IN
- Coordinates: 39.819862, -86.170608 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8199&lon=-86.1706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13909
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEX01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13909/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEX01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, unknown
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - descent - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

N6478P CRASHED DURING A FORCED LANDING NEAR THE SALEM, IN, AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT HAD EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 5 CONNECTING ROD CAP BOLT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A TREE DURING THE APPROACH AND CRASHED 100 YARDS NORTH OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6487P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6487P-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N 24-1606, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1606
- Airframe hours: 15820
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-AIA 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Herb Gossand, doing business as M & H Aircraft
- Registered owner: Jerry B. Schamel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1987, 390 hours before
- Departed: 183
- Destination: HGR, HAGERSTOWN, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,063 total, 44 in this make and model, 1,957 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 7 °F, dew point 5 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SDS, 40 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 19880105001259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880105001259A), Jan 5, 1988: Piper PA24250, Salem, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine threw a connecting rod on departure from airport. Aircraft hit a tree. Crashed trying to return to airport.

## Other investigations on N6487P (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA77FYP25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77FYP25), May 22, 1977: Piper PA-24 (N6487P), Spokane, WA, substantial 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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