# NTSB CHI92FA084: Piper PA-31T, N6038A, Swanton, OH, January 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1992, 16:06 local (21:06 UTC)
- Place: Swanton, OH
- Coordinates: 41.580677, -83.890464 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5807&lon=-83.8905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15282
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15282/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA084

## Probable cause

LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather condition - snow
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE ROUTINE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS IN PREPARATION FOR TAKEOFF.  THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED FROM RUNWAY 25 IN DAYLIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC) WITH LIGHT SNOW AND FOG.  SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE'S RADAR TARGET DISAPPEARED FROM THE CONTROLLER'S SCOPE.  THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ON WOODED TERRAIN ABOUT TWO MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 25.  IMPACT OCCURRED IN AN STEEP, NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY GROUND IMPACT FORCES AND A POST-IMPACT FIRE.  NO PHYSICAL INCAPACITATION OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS DETERMINED.  NO CONTRIBUTORY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OF THE AIRPLANE WERE DISCOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6038A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6038A-1992-05-28), registration cancelled 1992-05-28, S/N 31T7820072 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t) (registry code 7103124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31T-7820072
- Engines: P&W PT6A-28 620 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Testa, Thomas J.
- Registered owner: Testa, Thomas J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 17, 1992
- Departed: TOL, TOLEDO, OH
- Destination: AFJ, WASHINGTON, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TOL, Toledo Express, runway 25, 10,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,850 total, 3,800 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOL, 2 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 19920131001569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920131001569A), Jan 31, 1992: Piper PA31T, Toledo, OH, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Vertical ground impact on initial climbout in fog. No mechanical defects found. Icing conditions aloft.

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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