# NTSB CHI89FA040: Piper PA-28-200, N2CL, Carmel, IN, January 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1989, 13:44 local (18:44 UTC)
- Place: Carmel, IN
- Coordinates: 39.959907, -86.170806 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9599&lon=-86.1708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14243
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14243/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA040

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR UNDERSTANDING OF THE WEATHER FORECAST, HIS FAILURE TO UTILIZE THE PITOT HEAT IN ICING CONDITIONS AND THE EXCEEDING OF THE STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - anti-ice/deice system,pitot heat - not engaged (cause)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - hazardous weather advisory - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED FOR THE X-COUNTRY FLT IN IMC CONDITIONS. WHILE CLIMBING TO CRUISE, THE PLT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL FOLLOWED BY AN INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF BOTH WINGS AND THE EMPENNAGE. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED ICE BLOCKING THE PITOT/STATIC TUBE. ICING FORECASTS WERE VALID FOR THE PERIOD COVERING THE TIME OF THE FLIGHT AND THE PLT HAD RECEIVED A BRIEFING REGARDING POSSIBLE ICE. ALTHOUGH THE PITOT HEAT TESTED TO BE OPERATIONAL WHEN CHECKED DURING A POST ACCIDENT EXAM, THE PITOT HEAT SWITCH WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2CL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2CL-1992-02-10), registration cancelled 1992-02-10, S/N 28R7335045 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2BR-7335045
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henson, Keith A.
- Registered owner: Henson, Keith A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 23, 1988, 132 hours before
- Departed: I52, ZIONSVILLE, IN
- Destination: AHN, ATHENS, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 257 total, 10 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 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 19890102000049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890102000049A), Jan 2, 1989: Piper PA28R200, Indianapolis, IN, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Took off into known icing conditions. Found pitot heat switch off after crash and pitot probe ice covered.

## Other investigations on N2CL (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 MKC80DCD27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC80DCD27), Jul 30, 1980: Piper PA-28R (N2CL), Humboldt, IA, 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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