# NTSB CHI92FA280: Piper PA-32RT-300T, N39652, Pullman, MI, September 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1992, 10:47 local (14:47 UTC)
- Place: Pullman, MI
- Coordinates: 42.480503, -86.090637 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4805&lon=-86.0906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15313
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA280
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15313/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA280

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S EXCEEDING THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing,spar - failure,total
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN ON A ROUTE WHICH HE HAD BEEN ADVISED CONTAINED FORECAST AND REPORTED THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ICING AND TURBULENCE.  AT 15,000 FEET HE REPORTED ENCOUNTERING RAIN AND ICING AND REQUESTED A LOWER ALTITUDE.  AFTER BEING CLEARED TO 13,000 FEET THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO ACCELERATE TO 6,250 FEET PER MINUTE ON RADAR DATA.  SHORTLY AFTER THIS THE FUSELAGE WAS OBSERVED BY A GROUND WITNESS TO DESCEND OUT OF A CLOUD WITH NO WINGS OR TAIL.  EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO REVEAL ANY PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL ANOMALIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39652](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39652-1995-03-20), registration cancelled 1995-03-20, S/N 32R7887133 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300T (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7887133
- Airframe hours: 2454
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Weber, Tracy T.
- Registered owner: Weber, Tracy T.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1992, 10 hours before
- Departed: MKE, MILWAUKEE, WI
- Destination: DUJ, DU BOIS, PA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total, 14 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 42 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 19920917037089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920917037089A), Sep 17, 1992: Piper PA32RT300T, Pullman, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Encountered turbulence and icing in clouds en route. Lost control. Broke up, forecast icing,turbulence given pilot.

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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