# NTSB CHI88FA090: Piper PA-32-300, N32076, Quincy, IL, April 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1988, 22:52 local (Apr 2, 1988, 04:52 UTC)
- Place: Quincy, IL
- Coordinates: 39.929962, -91.379539 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9300&lon=-91.3795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13938
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13938/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA090

## Probable cause

DESCENT BELOW THE DH BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND DURING AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER RATHER THEN PROCEEDING TO A SUITABLE ALTERNATE DESTINATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DRG A NIGHT ARRIVAL, THE PLT WAS CLEARED FOR AN ILS RWY 4 APCH AFTER BEING ADZD THE SKY WAS PARTIALLY OBSCURED, MEASUREDCEILING 200' OVERCAST, VIS 1/2 MI WITH FOG, WIND 080 AT 17 KTS. MINS FOR THE APCH WERE 200' CEILING & 1/2 MI VIS. THE PLT WAS CLEARED TO BEGIN THE APCH FROM A 7 MI DME ARC. AS THE ACFT DESCENDED ON THE APCH, RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST & THE PLT WAS CLEARED TO CONTACT QUINCY RADIO. AS THE PLT RPRTD PASSING THE QUINCY VOR (JUST SHORT OF THE ILS OUTER MARKER/FINAL APCH FIX), THE FSS SPECIALIST ADVISED HIM THE VIS HAD DROPPED TO 3/8 MI. AFTER THE PLT RPRTD PASSING THE OUTER MARKER, RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST, EXCEPT FOR THE SOUND OF A KEYED MIKE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT TREES & CRASHED WELL LEFT OF THE ILS CENTERLINE, APRX 3/10 MI WEST FROM THE APCH END OF RWY 4. NO PRE-ACDNT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT OR ILS FACILITY WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32076](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32076-1991-05-10), registration cancelled 1991-05-10, S/N 327540013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-40013
- Airframe hours: 1731
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Winston N. Bloch Jr
- Registered owner: Winston N Bloch Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1987, 39 hours before
- Departed: BJJ, WOOSTER, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Quincy Muni-Baldwin Field, runway 4, 7,097 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 780 total, 734 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 12 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: UIN, 2 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 19880401007349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880401007349A), Apr 1, 1988: Piper PA32300, Quincy, IL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck trees and ground on ILS approach to runway O4.

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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