# NTSB CHI95LA062: Piper PA-32-260, N7JD, Fort Dodge, IA, December 22, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 22, 1994, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Fort Dodge, IA - Coordinates: 42.500362, -94.169258 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5004&lon=-94.1693&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9816 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9816/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA062 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IFR PROCEDURE. THE LOW CEILING AND FOG WERE A FACTOR. ## 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 - low ceiling (contributing factor) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED AFTER PERFORMING A MISSED APPROACH AT THE INTENDED DESTINATION AIRPORT, HE FLEW TO THE ALTERNATE AIRPORT, APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AWAY. HE STATED THIS FLIGHT WAS SHORT AND HURRIED, AND 'BEFORE I COULD REMOVE THE APPROACH PLATE AND REVIEW ALL THE INFORMATION...I WAS ALREADY FLYING THE (DME) ARC.' THE PILOT REPORTED WHEN THEY MADE THE TURN ONTO THE LOCALIZER, HE THOUGHT HE WAS ABOVE THE GLIDESLOPE AND INSIDE THE FINAL APPROACH FIX. HE STATED 'I STARTED DOWN AND...STARTED MY TRANSITION BACK TO INSTRUMENTS. THE NEXT THING I REMEMBER WAS HITTING THE GROUND.' THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND ABOUT 6 MILES FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY. ## Factual narrative On December 22, 1994, at 1730 central standard time, a Piper PA- 32-260, N7JD, piloted by the owner/operator, collided with terrain while on an instrument approach to Runway 6 at Fort Dodge, Iowa. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The instrument rated private pilot and the three passengers on board the airplane reported minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated on an IFR flight plan. The pleasure flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Lansing, Illinois, approximately 1400, with an intended destination of Carroll, Iowa. The pilot stated the preflight weather briefing included a destination airport weather observation of 500 foot ceiling and 2 miles visibility, with conditions forecast to improve. Upon arrival at Carroll, Iowa, the airport fixed base operator estimated the weather conditions to be about minimums for the approach (600 foot ceiling, 1 mile visibility). The pilot performed an NDB approach to the Carroll Airport and did not see the ground at the missed approach point. He executed the published missed approach procedure, and notified Air Traffic Control (ATC) he wanted to attempt a precision approach to Fort Dodge, Iowa, approximately 42 miles northeast. The pilot stated the flight between Carroll and Fort Dodge "...was a bit hurried as the flight...is only about 15 minutes. Before I could remove the approach plate and review...it I was already flying the (DME) arc....We made the turn onto the localizer and for some reason I felt that I was above the glidescope and past the final approach fix when I made the turn. I started down....The next thing I remember was hitting the ground." The airplane collided with terrain about 6 miles from the end of the runway. The pilot stated there was no preimpact mechanical malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7JD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7JD-2008-04-18), registration cancelled 2008-04-18, S/N 32-185, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260 - 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: 32-185 - Airframe hours: 3685 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E435 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Watt Energy Systems, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 1994, 50 hours before - Departed: 3HA, LANSING, IL - Destination: CIN, CARROLL, IA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FOD, Fort Dodge Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 692 total, 387 in this make and model, 628 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk - Wind: 320° at 7 knots - Visibility: 0.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 500 ft - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FOD, 6 nm away 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.