# NTSB CHI92LA106: Socata TB-10, N105A, Elkhart, IN, March 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1992, 20:00 local (Mar 8, 1992, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Elkhart, IN
- Location: 41.7204° N, 85.9839° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from ELKHART MUNI (EKM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7204&lon=-85.9839&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15408
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15408/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA106

## Probable cause

PROPER GLIDEPATH WAS NOT MAINTAINED AND MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT RESULTING IN COLLISION WITH TREES. FACTORS RELATE TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF OPERATION AND OVER CONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - tree(s)
  - weather condition - fog
  - light condition - dark night
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT INTERCEPTED THE OUTER MARKER AND STARTED THE DESCENT FOR THE ILS RWY 27 APPROACH. THE PILOT STATED HE BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS AND MADE VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY. DUE TO FOG AND EXTERNAL LIGHT, HE STATED, HE MOMENTARILY LOST SIGHT OF THE RUNWAY. UPON LOOKING BACK A THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, HE NOTED HE WAS TOO LOW. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES ABOUT 1/2 MILE FROM THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE STUCK IN THE TREE TOPS AND THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE RESCUED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THIS AS THE FIRST ACTUAL IFR FLIGHT MADE BY THE PILOT SINCE OBTAINING HIS IFR CERTIFICATE ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N105A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N105A-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 590 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SOCATA TB-10
- Registry model: [Socata TB 10](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tb-10) (registry code 8680696) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 590
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1AD 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Central Skyport Aviation
- Registered owner: Copperfield Acft Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000
- Departed: MDW, CHICAGO, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: EKM, Elkhart

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 209 total, 32 in this make and model, 146 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EKM, 1 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 19920308005159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920308005159A), Mar 8, 1992: Socata TB10TOBAGO, Elkhart, IN, Substantial damage. Broke out on approach. Went visual in marginal VFR. Neglected to check altitude. Struck trees and remained suspended

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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