# NTSB CHI90FA145: Piper PA28-140, N8760N, Wadsworth, OH, June 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1990, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Wadsworth, OH
- Coordinates: 41.019851, -81.729263 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0199&lon=-81.7293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14533
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14533/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA145

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND THE DUAL STUDENT TO MAINTAIN A VISUAL LOOKOUT DURING THE FINAL APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - pole
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, dual student (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH AN ELECTRICAL UTILITY POLE DURING A FINAL APPROACH TO AN AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO PERSONS AT THE AIRPORT THE STUDENT PILOT HAD FLOWN INTO THE AIRPORT, PICKED UP A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, AND THEN DEPARTED FOR A PERIOD OF LOCAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTION. WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE IN STEADY STATE FLIGHT UNTIL IT STRUCK THE POLE. THE RUNWAY IS SERVED BY A VASI WHICH WAS OPERATIONAL AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8760N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8760N-2013-02-25), registration cancelled 2013-02-25, S/N 28-25581, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-25581
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Ralph D. Brown
- Airport: 3G3, Wadsworth, runway 20, 3,525 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Observed at: CAK, 15 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 19900602022899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900602022899A), Jun 2, 1990: Piper PA28140, Wadsworth, OH, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Came in too low on final. Right wing was sheared by striking a utility pole, causing fatal crash.

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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