# NTSB CHI90FA029: Piper PA-28-235, N9465W, Monroe Center, IL, November 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1989, 21:43 local (Nov 22, 1989, 03:43 UTC)
- Place: Monroe Center, IL
- Coordinates: 42.110275, -89.00045 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1103&lon=-89.0005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14516/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA029

## Probable cause

IN-FLIGHT FIRE INITIATED BY AN INADEQUATELY INSTALLED WIRING HARNESS AND PROPAGATED BY AN EXISTING FUEL LEAK WHICH WAS NOT REPAIRED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - electrical system,electric wiring - inadequate (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - shorted (cause)
  - fuel system,electric boost pump - leak (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuselage,cabin - fire
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT TOOK OFF IN IMC CONDITIONS AT NIGHT; CRASHED 9 MINUTES LATER. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE AIRCRAFT IN A STEEP DIVE, ON FIRE, PRIOR TO IMPACT. EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE INTERIOR CABIN. NO EVIDENCE OF INSULATION GROMMET AT FRAME PENETRATION OF MAIN WIRING HARNESS, OR CABLE INSULATION FROM THIS POINT TO BATTERY. BATTERY BOX BULGED OUT ALL SIDES, BLACK & CHARRED. WING SPAR WEB MELTED AND MISSING FROM WHERE ELECT FUEL PUMP ATTACHES TO SPAR TO RIGHT SIDE WING ATTACH POINT. ALUM WIRING REPLACED DURING LAST ANNUAL 4/29/89. LOG SHEET ENTRY 11/18/89 'BAD GAS SMELL!'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9465W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9465W-1990-02-01), registration cancelled 1990-02-01, S/N 2811189 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-11189
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harris Int'L Flying Club, doing business as Harris Int'L Flying Club
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 1989
- Departed: RFD, ROCKFORD, IL
- Destination: BMI, BLOOMINGTON, IL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 134 total, 20 in this make and model, 89 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RFD, 5 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 19891121046329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891121046329A), Nov 21, 1989: Piper PA28235, Rockford, IL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. VFR pilot departed IFR had trouble headings and altitude. Lost control and crashed. Evidence wiring short and fire.

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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