# NTSB CHI91FA216: Piper PA-28-180, N7616W, Seneca, IL, July 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1991, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Seneca, IL
- Coordinates: 41.299358, -88.61087 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2994&lon=-88.6109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14910
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91FA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14910/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA216

## Probable cause

PROPER GLIDEPATH NOT MAINTAINED, AND INADEQUATE ALTITUDE AND VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

## 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 - wire,transmission
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON SHORT FINAL FOR LANDING AT A PRIVATE AIRPORT AND STRUCK AN UNMARKED POWER LINE.  THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO A CREEK SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.  WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE APPROACH AS LOW AND FLAT.  THE POWER LINE WAS 28 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, AND 485 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD. EXAMINATION OF THE PILOT'S LOG BOOK REVEALED NO PREVIOUS RECORDED FLIGHTS TO THIS AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7616W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7616W-1991-12-16), registration cancelled 1991-12-16, S/N 281577 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 281577
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Props & Throttles, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: LOT, ROMEOVILLE, IL
- Airport: 2LL2, Springbrook, runway 36, 2,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 140 total, 59 in this make and model, 94 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19910714027419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910714027419A), Jul 14, 1991: Piper PA28180, Seneca, IL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Too low on final,struck unmarked powerline. Crashed short of runway. Powerline 28 ft AGL, 485 ft from runway.

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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