# NTSB CHI89GA048: Piper PA-28-180, N16375, Chicago, IL, January 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1989, 09:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Chicago, IL
- Coordinates: 41.89923, -87.610984 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8992&lon=-87.6110&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 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14277
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89GA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14277/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89GA048

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS AND RETAINING WALL IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wall/barricade (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT & 2 OBSERVER/TRAINEES WERE ON A FLT ALONG THE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE. AFTER APRX 23 MIN OF FLT, WHILE APCHG TO LAND AT CHICAGO, THE PLT RPRTD AN ENG PROBLEM OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A PARKING LOT AT A WATER FILTRATION PLANT. AFTER CLRG THE ROOF OF A BLDG, THE ACFT TURNED & SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH A RETAINING WALL AT THE EDGE OF THE PARKING LOT. BOTH OBSERVER/TRAINEES WERE FATALLY INJURED. THE PLT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED & WAS UNABLE TO RECALL THE EVENTS OF THE FLT. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED TO THE LEFT FUEL TANK, WHICH REMAINED INTACT. LESS THAN 1 GAL OF FUEL WAS ESTIMATED TO BE REMAINING IN THE LEFT TANK. THE ACFT FUEL TANKS HAD A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 50 GAL, OF WHICH, 13.5 PINTS OF FUEL WAS CONSIDERED TO BE UNUSABLE (LESS THAN 1 GAL PER TANK). APRX 3 HRS AFTER THE ACDNT, NO ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTED BENEATH THE RUPTURED RGT FUEL TANK. NO WITNESSES OR RECORDS WERE FOUND TO INDICATE THE ACFT HAD BEEN REFUELED BEFORE THE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16375](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16375-1989-06-12), registration cancelled 1989-06-12, S/N 287305239 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7305239
- Airframe hours: 1260
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Public aircraft, Public use
- Operator: Michael J. Belica
- Registered owner: Michael & Jacquiline Belica
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 16, 1988, 2 hours before
- Departed: UGN, WAUKEGAN, IL
- Destination: CGX, CHICAGO, IL
- Airport: CGX, Meigs

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CGX, 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 19890121000919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890121000919A), Jan 21, 1989: Piper PA28180, Chicago, IL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Nearing airport engine quit.

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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