# NTSB CHI89LA011: Piper PA-24-180, N8088P, Alexandria, MN, October 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1988, 05:05 local (10:05 UTC)
- Place: Alexandria, MN
- Coordinates: 45.870723, -95.370033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8707&lon=-95.3700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14300
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14300/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA011

## Probable cause

POOR JUDGEMENT OF THE PLT BY FLYING WHILE PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED FROM CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL, HIS IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, AND FUEL EXHAUSTION FROM HIS INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  THE LIGHT CONDITIONS AT NIGHT AND UNEVEN TERRAIN (HIGHWAY MEDIAN) WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED AS THE PLT WAS MAKING AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT NIGHT ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT INITIALLY, THE ACFT CONTACTED THE MEDIAN OF THE HIGHWAY. IT THEN BOUNCED OVER THE EASTBOUND LANE(S) & SUBSEQUENTLY CAME TO REST IN AN ADJACENT FIELD. DURING THE OCCURRENCE, THE PLT RECEIVED A CONCUSSION & COULD NOT REMEMBER THE ACDNT. NO FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANKS. AFTER THE ACDNT, THE ODOR OF ALCOHOL WAS NOTED IN THE PLT'S BREATH. A BLOOD SAMPLE WAS DRAWN ABOUT 1 HR AFTER THE ACDNT. A TOXICOLOGY CHECK OF THE BLOOD SHOWED THE PLT HAD AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.12% (GRAMS/100 ML). THE PLT'S LAST MED CERT WAS DATED 7/17/86.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8088P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8088P-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 24-3336, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-180) (registry code 7102403) (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: 24-3336
- Airframe hours: 1900
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ira Hanson
- Registered owner: Robert E Absey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1986
- Departed: AXN, ALEXANDRIA, MN
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 112 total, 6 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STC, 40 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 19881014070779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881014070779A), Oct 14, 1988: Piper PA24, Alexandria, MN, Substantial damage. Crashed on a road. Fuel tanks were empty. Beer bottles in wreckage. Pilot's blood alcohol .12 grams per 100MM.

## Other investigations on N8088P (2)

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 DEN87LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA131), May 22, 1987: Piper PA-24-180 (N8088P), Emerado, ND, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX75FUJ43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75FUJ43), Nov 16, 1974: Piper PA-24 (N8088P), Phoenix, AZ, 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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