# NTSB CHI90FA130: Piper PA-28-181, N24PT, East Lansing, MI, May 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1990, 18:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: East Lansing, MI
- Coordinates: 42.759063, -84.459083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7591&lon=-84.4591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA130

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHILE FLYING IN CLOUDS DURING AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH. FACTORS WERE: INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE, OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT, AND ANXIETY/APPREHENSION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - residential area

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE CRASHED WHILE BEING VECTORED FOR AN ASR APPROACH. THE REASON FOR THE FLIGHT WAS TO DELIVER THE AIRPLANE FOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE. IMC PREVAILED. AFTER CHECKING WEATHER THREE TIMES THE PILOT TELEPHONED THE RADAR APPROACH CONTROL AND REQUESTED A SVFR CLEARANCE STATING THAT HE WOULD BE MAKING THE FLIGHT ON BATTERY POWER. AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT WAS ISSUED A CLEARANCE. AFTER AN INFLIGHT ADVISORY THAT WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE NOT FAVORABLE FOR SVFR HE REQUESTED AN IFR CLEARANCE AND WAS ASSIGNED VECTORS FOR AN ILS APPROACH. DURING THE APPROACH THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS HAVING INSTRUMENT PROBLEMS AND WAS CONCERNED THAT HE WOULD LOSE COMMUNICATONS CAPABILITY. THE CONTROLLER LOST CONTACT WITH THE PILOT AFTER STARTING A NO-GYRO ASR APPROACH. NO DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED DURING DISASSEMBLY OF THE VACUUM PUMPS, OR THE VACUUM AND ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS. LIGHT BULBS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED FILAMENT STRETCHING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24PT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24PT-1991-10-01), registration cancelled 1991-10-01, S/N 2890075 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2890075
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: J. J. Tiefenthaler
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: 09G, MASON, MI
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: LAN, Capital City

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 643 total, 370 in this make and model, 523 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 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 19900520016589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900520016589A), May 20, 1990: Piper PA28181, Lansing, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Departed into IMC with inop generator and only battery power. Battery went dead. Hit trees and fence on asr approach

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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