# NTSB CHI90FAMS2: Piper PA-30B, N8333Y, Charlevoix, MI, April 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1990, 14:48 local (18:48 UTC)
- Place: Charlevoix, MI
- Coordinates: 45.309669, -85.250938 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3097&lon=-85.2509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FAMS2
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FAMS2

## Probable cause

THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT IS UNDETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Missing aircraft, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT DEPARTED CHARLEVOIX, MICHIGAN, WITH AN INTENDED DESTINATION OF BEAVER ISLAND, MICHIGAN. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVERDUE AT ITS INTENDED DESTINATION, THE COAST GUARD WAS NOTIFIED, AND AN AIR AND SURFACE SEARCH OF LAKE MICHIGAN WAS INITIATED ALONG THE INTENDED FLIGHT PATH. THE COAST GUARD LOCATED A DEBRIS FIELD CONTAINING AIRCRAFT PARTS, PERSONAL EFFECTS, AND A FEMALE BODY. THE BODY OF THE PILOT, AND THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS NOT RECOVERED. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME WERE MARGINAL VMC OVER THE MICHIGAN LAND MASS, AND IMC OVER THE LAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8333Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8333Y-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 30-1478, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30B
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30-1478
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul P. Eddy
- Registered owner: Paul P Eddy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CVX, CHARLEVOIX, MI
- Destination: 6Y8, ST. JAMES, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 27,870 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PLN, 24 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 19900420010429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900420010429A), Apr 20, 1990: Piper PA30, Charlevoix, MI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Became missing en route to beaver island. Found passengers body debris and oil slick in lake.

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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