# NTSB CHI88LA247: Piper PA-28-181, N21985, Orleans, IN, September 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1988, 19:10 local (Sep 24, 1988, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Orleans, IN
- Coordinates: 38.660037, -86.450531 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6600&lon=-86.4505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14171
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14171/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA247

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT AND TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE UTILITY POLE AND TRANSMISSION WIRE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE CAUSE WERE THE PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE, TASK OVERLOAD, AND ANXIETY, STEMMING FROM A PARTIAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, WHICH LED TO DISORIENTATION AND THE ATTEMPTED LANDING AT THE WRONG AIRPORT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - electrical system,battery - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landed at wrong airport - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, BECAME LOST AND ANXIOUS, AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND AT THE WRONG AIRPORT. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH THE LEFT LANDING GEAR STRUCK A UTILITY POLE AND THE LEFT WING TOUCHED A TRANSMISSION WIRE. THE PILOT RECOVERED AND CONTINUED TO HIS INTENDED DESTINATION, LANDING WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21985](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N21985), registered now, S/N 28-7990066, built 1978 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7990066
- Airframe hours: 3269
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Decatur Aviaiton, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 19, 1988, 13 hours before
- Departed: DEC, DECATUR, IL
- Destination: I83, SALEM, IN
- Airport: 7I4, Orleans, runway 24, 2,890 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 101 total, 21 in this make and model, 86 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOU

## 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 19880923041269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880923041269A), Sep 23, 1988: Piper PA28181, Orleans, IN, Substantial damage. Electrical problems. Struck powerlines on approach to wrong airport. Stayed airborne landed safe. Had low battery.

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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