# NTSB CHI94LA062: Piper PA-28-236, N8117Z, Highland, IN, January 13, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 13, 1994, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Highland, IN - Coordinates: 41.519371, -87.420852 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5194&lon=-87.4209&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9451 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9451/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA062 ## Probable cause An electrical system failure due to a fractured alternator mounting lug. Factors related to the accident were the rough terrain, and decreasing visibility due to snow and darkness. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - electrical system,alternator - fractured (cause) - electrical system - inoperative (contributing factor) - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - light condition - dusk (contributing factor) - weather condition - snow (contributing factor) - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis WHILE FLYING IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS THE AIRPLANE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CEASED OPERATING. ESTIMATING ONE HOUR OF FUEL REMAINING, THE PILOT DESCENDED THROUGH THE CLOUDS IN SEARCH OF AN AIRPORT. ONCE BELOW THE CLOUDS, THE PILOT STATED, HE ENCOUNTERED RAPIDLY DECREASING VISIBILITY DUE TO SNOW AND DARKENING SKY. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES OF FLYING, THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN A FARM FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND NOSE GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE AIRFRAME. AN ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED A DISCONNECTED ALTERNATOR BELT. THE ALTERNATOR'S MOUNTING LUG HAD SEPARATED FROM THE UNIT ALLOWING THE ALTERNATOR TO MOVE AWAY FROM ITS ENGINE MOUNTING. THE TYPE OF FRACTURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO SURFACE POLISHING. ## Factual narrative On January 13, 1994, at 1615 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-236, N8117Z, registered to Brusque Enterprises, Incorporated, of Tinley Park, Illinois, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an off airport precautionary landing near Highland, Indiana. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 business flight had been operating on an IFR flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, at 1155 eastern standard time. According to the pilot's statement on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, he was flying N8117Z at 5,000 feet mean sea level (msl) when the airplane's radios began to make noises, "... voices became garbled and indistinguishable." The radios sequentially ceased operation according to the pilot. He said the alternator warning light did not illuminate. He observed a "0" charge on the ammeter when he turned the airplane's landing light on. The pilot stated the terminal forecast for his destination called for overcast conditions at 2,000 feet. Estimating one hour fuel remaining the pilot descended to "... approx 1,200 msl, (and) broke out over unfamiliar farm fields in light snow." Once below the clouds the pilot said the visibility was rapidly decreasing due to an "...increasing snow fall and darkening sky." The pilot said he spent about 45 minutes searching for an airport. Due to the weather and low fuel condition, the pilot stated, he landed the airplane in a farm field. He said the landing roll was a "...reasonably smooth ground roll for some distance when loud noise came from left wing... ." According to the pilot, the left main landing gear and nose gear collapsed shortly after hearing the noise. An on-scene examination revealed N8117Z had landed on a frozen, plowed, corn field. Further examination disclosed the alternator belt had separated from the starter ring and alternator pulleys. The alternator mounting lug had separated from the unit's main case, allowing the alternator to disconnect from its engine mount. The fracture surfaces of the mounting lug and alternator mount were rough and polished. The type fracture could not be determined due to the polishing of both surfaces. The unit had been overhauled on July 27, 1982,and installed on N8117Z, July 3, 1986. The alternator had approximately 700 hours of service on N8117Z prior to the lug failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8117Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8117Z), registered now, S/N 28-8011026, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8011026 - Airframe hours: 1971 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bruske Enterprises, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 1993, 95 hours before - Departed: MDT, HARRISBURG, PA - Destination: C18, FRANKFORT, IL - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,156 total, 388 in this make and model, 1,102 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk - Wind: 330° at 12 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 1.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast - Temperature: 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GYY, 5 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 19940113000349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940113000349A), Jan 13, 1994: Piper PA28236, Highland, IN, Substantial damage. Lost electric power. Landed in frozen plowed field collapsing gear. Alternator lug tab failed. Weather also a factor ## Other investigations on N8117Z (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 FTW84LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA108), Jan 6, 1984: Piper PA-28-236 (N8117Z), Del Rio, TX, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.