# NTSB CHI90LA277: Navion L-17A, N91665, Fort Wayne, IN, September 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1990, 20:00 local (Sep 29, 1990, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Wayne, IN
- Location: 41.1306° N, 85.1289° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fort Wayne, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1306&lon=-85.1289&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14786
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA277
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14786/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA277

## Probable cause

POOR JUDGEMENT OF THE PILOT DUE TO IMPAIRMENT FROM CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL AND USE OF A DRUG, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE ABOVE WOODED TERRAIN.  DARKNESS WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A WITNESS RPRTD THE ACFT DESCENDED TOWARD HIS HOME FROM THE NORTH, THEN IT PULLED UP & BANKED TO THE SOUTHWEST.  THE WITNESS & HIS SON RAN BEHIND THE HOUSE TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON.  HE RPRTD THE ACFT BANKED BACK TO THE EAST, THEN ENTERED A DESCENT & DISAPPEARED FROM HIS VIEW.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ON AN EASTERLY HEADING. DURING IMPACT, THE ACFT WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED & WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER A 220 FT AREA.  THE WITNESS NOTED THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL AS THE AIRCRAFT FLEW OVER HIS HOUSE. TOXICOLOGY TESTS OF THE PILOT'S BLOOD & VITREOUS FLUID SHOWED ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 173 MG/DL (0.173%) & 216 MG/DL (0.216%), RESPECTIVELY.  ALSO, NORDIAZEPAM (A DERIVATIVE OF VALIUM) WAS FOUND IN HIS BLOOD AT A LEVEL OF 778 NG/ML.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91665](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91665-1991-03-22), registration cancelled 1991-03-22, S/N NAV4414 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NAVION L-17A
- Registry model: [Navion L-17A](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-l-17a) (registry code 6150106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-4-414
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-185-3 185 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Riley, Ronald E.
- Departed: IRS, STURGIS, MI
- Destination: CQA, CELINA, OH
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900928046379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900928046379A), Sep 28, 1990: Navion L17A, Fort Wayne, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pulled up and stalled into trees after low pass over driveway. Pilot incapacitated by alcohol and medical drugs.

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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