# NTSB CHI92LA270: Piper PA-22-150, N3743P, Petersburg, MI, September 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1992, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Petersburg, MI
- Coordinates: 41.890682, -83.710838 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8907&lon=-83.7108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15541
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15541/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA270

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND DURING FINAL APPROACH. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SUNGLARE.

## 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
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AFTER STRIKING ELECTRICAL POWER TRANSMISSION WIRES DURING FINAL APPROACH TO AN AIRPORT.  A PILOT WHO LANDED JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE REPORTED THE RUNWAY WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE BECAUSE OF SUNGLARE. IN A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION THE ACCIDENT PILOT STATED HE DID NOT REMEMBER THE ACCIDENT BUT DOES REMEMBER THE SUN BEING IN HIS EYES DURING THE APPROACH. THE AIRPORT OPERATOR SAW THE ACCIDENT AND WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO REACH THE AIRPLANE AFTER IMPACT. THE PILOT ASKED THE OPERATOR WHAT HE HAD HIT. THE OPERATOR TOLD THE PILOT HE HAD STRUCK WIRES. THE PILOT INDICATED HE DID NOT KNOW THE POWERLINES WERE THERE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3743P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3743P), registered now, S/N 22-3463, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3463
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jeffery T. Horkey
- Registered owner: Jeffery T. Horkey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1900
- Departed: 88G
- Airport: 88G, Gradolph, runway 27, 2,380 × 110 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 334 total, 140 in this make and model, 188 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARB, 20 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 19920908035579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920908035579A), Sep 8, 1992: Piper PA22150, Petersburg, MI, Substantial damage. Struck wires on approach to runway. Reported sun glare obscured wires. Wires not marked. Close to runway.

## Other investigations on N3743P (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI84LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA322), Aug 2, 1984: Piper PA-22-150 (N3743P), Findlay, OH, substantial damage

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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