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NTSB Report
March 27, 1987 · Piper PA-32-300 · N452BH
Frankfort, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 27, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Frankfort, IL
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N452BH
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI87FA104
AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS LOST AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO DESCEND TO HIS ASSIGNED ALTITUDE OF 5000 FEET FROM EXCESSIVE CLIMB. HE WAS IN IFR CONDITIONS AT THE TIME. THE AIRFRAME BROKE APART, EMPENNAGE FIRST, DURING THE UNCONTROLLED DESCENT TO THE GROUND DUE TO HIGH SPEED STRUCTURAL OVERLOAD. THE PILOT HAD JUST RECEIVED HIS INSTRUMENT RATING AND HAD APPROX TWO TENTHS OF AN HOUR OF UNSUPERVISED INSTRUMENT TIME ALL OF WHICH WAS ACCOMPLISHED ON THIS LAST FLIGHT. A WITNESS SAW THE ACFT FALL OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE OVERCAST. THE PLT THOUGHT HIS ASSIGNED ALTITUDE WAS 6000 FEET AND HAD TO BE ADVISED OF TRAFFIC AT 6000 FEET BY ATC. THE PLT RADIOED THAT HE FILED FOR 6000 FT BUT WOULD GO TO FIVE. THIS WAS THE LAST RADIO CONTACT BEFORE THE RADAR CONTACT WENT TO COAST MODE.
Full Narrative
AIRCRAFT CONTROL WAS LOST AS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO DESCEND TO HIS ASSIGNED ALTITUDE OF 5000 FEET FROM EXCESSIVE CLIMB. HE WAS IN IFR CONDITIONS AT THE TIME. THE AIRFRAME BROKE APART, EMPENNAGE FIRST, DURING THE UNCONTROLLED DESCENT TO THE GROUND DUE TO HIGH SPEED STRUCTURAL OVERLOAD. THE PILOT HAD JUST RECEIVED HIS INSTRUMENT RATING AND HAD APPROX TWO TENTHS OF AN HOUR OF UNSUPERVISED INSTRUMENT TIME ALL OF WHICH WAS ACCOMPLISHED ON THIS LAST FLIGHT. A WITNESS SAW THE ACFT FALL OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE OVERCAST. THE PLT THOUGHT HIS ASSIGNED ALTITUDE WAS 6000 FEET AND HAD TO BE ADVISED OF TRAFFIC AT 6000 FEET BY ATC. THE PLT RADIOED THAT HE FILED FOR 6000 FT BUT WOULD GO TO FIVE. THIS WAS THE LAST RADIO CONTACT BEFORE THE RADAR CONTACT WENT TO COAST MODE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN452BH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1A5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 1700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC