# NTSB CHI93LA087: Piper PA-32, N3658W, Austin, MN, February 4, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1993, 17:28 local (23:28 UTC)
- Place: Austin, MN
- Coordinates: 43.669685, -92.969062 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6697&lon=-92.9691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15664
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15664/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA087

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO IMC, DIVERTED ATTENTION AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS WERE FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT DEPARTED IN SPECIAL VFR CONDITIONS FOR A FLIGHT TO ANOTHER AIRPORT ABOUT 17 MILES TO THE WEST. HE WAS ADVISED TO MAINTAIN VFR. HE RECEIVED VFR ADVISORIES FROM ATC, WAS GIVEN A VECTOR FOR THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, AND AGAIN ADVISED TO MAINTAIN VFR. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE ENTERED A FOG BANK AS HE NEARED HIS DESTINATION. HE SAID HE INADVERTENTLY LOST ALTITUDE WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST HIS GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS). HE TRIED TO REGAIN ALTITUDE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER IN TIME TO AVOID HITTING TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3658W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3658W), registered now, S/N 32-564, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-564
- Airframe hours: 2016
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hamilton, Norbert D.
- Registered owner: Hamilton, Norbert D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1992, 100 hours before
- Departed: RST, ROCHESTER, MN
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 483 total, 403 in this make and model, 483 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RST, 17 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 19930204022529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930204022529A), Feb 4, 1993: Piper PA32260, Austin, MN, Substantial damage. Flew into ground on special VFR after entering fog bank and tuning radios.

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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