# NTSB CHI90FA087: Piper PA-32RT-300, N3063B, Lostant, IL, February 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1990, 19:06 local (Feb 23, 1990, 01:06 UTC)
- Place: Lostant, IL
- Coordinates: 41.139377, -89.059112 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1394&lon=-89.0591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14524
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14524/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA087

## Probable cause

FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT AND STRUCTURAL (WING) ICING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT'S ABILITY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wing - ice (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - descent - encountered
  - level off - not possible
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT INITIATED A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT IN KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS AFTER RECEIVING TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS WHICH INFORMED HIM OF THE CONDITIONS.  WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 6000 FEET, HE REPORTED TO ATC THAT HE WAS ENCOUNTERING TURBULENCE.  LATER, HE SAID THE AIRCRAFT WAS PICKING UP CLEAR AND RIME ICE.  ATC CLEARED HIM TO A LOWER ALTITUDE AND PROVIDED A VECTOR TOWARD A NEARBY AIRPORT.  SOON THEREAFTER, THE PILOT REPORTED 'WE'RE IN TROUBLE' AND THEN SAID 'WE'RE GOING DOWN.'  SUBSEQUENTLY, RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ABOUT 12 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. DURING IMPACT, WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER A 550 FOOT AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3063B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3063B-1990-07-16), registration cancelled 1990-07-16, S/N 32R7985021 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7985021
- Airframe hours: 2387
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark D. Walter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 23, 1989, 118 hours before
- Departed: VPZ, VALPARAISO, IN
- Destination: DVN, DAVENPORT, IA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 971 total, 128 in this make and model, 816 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 330° at 11 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIA, 38 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 19900222003459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900222003459A), Feb 22, 1990: Piper PA32RT300, Lostant, IL, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Operated into known icing conditions. Ice accumulated. Lost control, impacted and disintergrated in open field.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.