# NTSB CHI88FA198: Piper PA-28, N3828K, Auburn, IN, August 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1988, 04:50 local (09:50 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, IN
- Coordinates: 41.360984, -85.049598 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3610&lon=-85.0496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13961
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13961/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA198

## Probable cause

FLIGHT KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT RATED PVT PLT FILED AN IFR FLT PLAN FOR A FLT FROM AN UNCONTROLLED ARPT AT NIGHT. THE ARPT MANAGER WAS AWAKENED BY THE SOUND OF THE ACFT STARTING & TAXIING. HE NOTED THAT THE RWY LIGHTS WERE ON, BUT WERE OBSCURED BY DENSE FOG. HIS HOUSE WAS APRX 150 FT FROM THE RWY. AT 0445 EST, THE PLT OBTAINED A CLNC TO TAKEOFF WITH A VOID TIME OF 0500 EST. WHEN THE VOID TIME HAD PASSED & THE PLT HAD NOT CONTACTED ATC, ATC PSNL CONTACTED THE ARPT MANAGER. THE ARPT MANAGER CHECKED THE HANGAR AREA & FOUND THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED. A SEARCH WAS INITIATED, BUT IT WAS HAMPERED BY DENSE FOG. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS FOUND WHERE IT HAD CRASHED ABOUT 700 FT SOUTHWEST FROM THE DEP END OF RWY 27. INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED WITH A 40 FT TREE WHILE THE ACFT WAS ON A HEADING OF 258 DEG. AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 200 FT, IT HIT ANOTHER TREE ABOUT 26 FT ABOVE THE GROUND, THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND, THOUGH IT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT & FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3828K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3828K-1989-03-08), registration cancelled 1989-03-08, S/N 2823741 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23741
- Airframe hours: 2863
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Mark Sherbinski, doing business as Special Trucks, Inc.
- Registered owner: Special Trucks, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1988, 25 hours before
- Departed: 07C
- Destination: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 07C, Dekalb City, runway 27, 3,375 × 50 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 275 total, 223 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA, 20 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 19880810035719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880810035719A), Aug 10, 1988: Piper PA28140, Auburn, IN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control and crashed into trees on initial takeoff climb. Ceiling and visibility near zero.

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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