# NTSB CHI93LA088: Piper PA-28-235, N8784W, Lafayette, IN, February 6, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1993, 11:04 local (16:04 UTC)
- Place: Lafayette, IN
- Coordinates: 40.440536, -86.910774 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4405&lon=-86.9108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15665
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15665/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA088

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DECISION TO INITIATE FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCUMMULATION OF AIRFRAME ICE. THE ICING CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S DISREGARD OF THE WEATHER ADVISORY WERE FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - wing - ice (cause)
  - hazardous weather advisory - disregarded, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command(cfi)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR OBTAINED A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING DURING WHICH HE WAS ADVISED THERE WERE REPORTS OF LIGHT RIME ICE.  THE PILOTS TOOK OFF FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT TO PRACTICE APPROACHES.  BOTH PILOTS REPORTED THEIR APPROACH BACK TO THE AIRPORT APPEARED NORMAL UNTIL THE STUDENT BEGAN TO FLARE.  THE AIRPLANE '...JUST SEEMED TO QUIT FLYING AND SANK RAPIDLY TO THE RUNWAY.'  THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE AT GROUND IMPACT.  THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED TO A STOP ON THE RUNWAY.  POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED ACCUMULATIONS OF ROUGH RIME ICE BETWEEN 1/2 AND ONE INCH THICK ON LEADING EDGES, ETC. THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED HE NOTED ICE ACCUMULATING ON THE WINDSHIELD, BUT ADDED HE WAS NOT CONCERNED BECAUSE THE AIRPLANE 'COULD HANDLE LIGHT ICE VERY WELL.' THE INSTRUCTOR STATED THE AIRPLANE STALLED ABOUT 16 MPH FASTER THAN PUBLISHED STALL AIRSPEED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8784W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8784W-2020-12-05), registration cancelled 2020-12-05, S/N 28-10330, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10330
- Airframe hours: 3127
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Brown, Carol
- Registered owner: Brown, Carol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1992, 34 hours before
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LAF, Purdue University, runway 1, 6,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,575 total, 31 in this make and model, 1,354 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 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 19930206001859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930206001859A), Feb 6, 1993: Piper PA28235, Lafayette, IN, Substantial damage. Conducted dual IFR flight in icing conditions. Stalled on short final. Impact broke off wheel. One to two inches ice

## Other investigations on N8784W (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 MKC65D0084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC65D0084), Mar 20, 1965: Piper PA-28 (N8784W), Sioux City, IA, 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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