# NTSB CHI93FA054: Piper PA-24-180, N6185P, Gaylord, MI, December 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1992, 05:05 local (10:05 UTC)
- Place: Gaylord, MI
- Coordinates: 45.02008, -84.669914 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0201&lon=-84.6699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15583
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93FA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15583/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93FA054

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND EXCEEDED THE AIRPLANE'S DESIGN STRESS LIMITS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb
  - weather condition - icing conditions
  - flight into known adverse weather - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - wing - separation
  - flight control,stabilator - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OBTAINED A WEATHER BRIEF WHICH INCLUDED ICING PRECAUTIONS. THE AIRPLANE TOOK OFF IN NIGHT, IMC, WHICH INCLUDED FREEZING RAIN, SLEET AND SNOW FALLING AROUND THE AIRPORT. TEN MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE REPORTED 'CARB ICE' AND DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR. THE AIRPLANE BROKE APART IN FLIGHT. THERE WERE INDICATIONS OF ENGINE POWER AT IMPACT AND WITNESS ACCOUNTS OF LOUD, EVEN ENGINE NOISE. NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6185P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6185P-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 24-1287, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-180) (registry code 7102403) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1287
- Airframe hours: 2953
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: John C Myers & Clare R Colwell
- Registered owner: John C Myers & Clare R Colwell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 1993, 1 hours before
- Departed: GLR
- Destination: OI03, ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OH
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,850 total, 1,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PLN, 35 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 19921219050939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921219050939A), Dec 19, 1992: Piper PA24180, Gaylord, MI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Reported icing on climb to cruise. Broke up in air. AIRMET on icing in area. Snow,freezing rain. No deice equipment

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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