# NTSB CHI93LA056: Piper PA-28-161, N9206B, Kokomo, IN, December 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1992, 19:25 local (Dec 23, 1992, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Kokomo, IN
- Coordinates: 40.530052, -86.17044 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5301&lon=-86.1704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15640
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15640/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA056

## Probable cause

FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL, AND SPATIAL DISORIENTATION OF THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT, WHO WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED, DESCENDED INTO FOG AT HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT WHILE MAKING A VFR APPROACH.  PILOT STATED HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THAT WAS THE LAST THING HE REMEMBERED. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ONE MILE NORTH OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9206B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9206B-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 2841336, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2841336
- Airframe hours: 26
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Beene, Charles W., doing business as Glenndale Air Service
- Registered owner: Beene, Charles W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: RCR, ROCHESTER, IN
- Airport: OKK, Kokomo Municipal, runway 23, 5,201 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 512 total, 56 in this make and model, 412 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GUS, 9 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 19921222051119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921222051119A), Dec 22, 1992: Piper PA28161, Kokomo, IN, Substantial damage. Encountered fog bank on approach. Tried circle for runway 14. Lost control and crashed.

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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