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NTSB Report
May 18, 1986 · Piper PA-34-200 · N44603
Angola, IN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 18, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Angola, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200
Tail Number
N44603
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI86FA141
THE PILOT DIVERTED INTO ANGOLA, AN AIRFIELD HE HAD NEVER LANDED AT BEFORE, DUE TO AN UNIDENTIFIED ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AT NIGHT. HE WAS GIVEN VECTORS TO THE AIRPORT AND REPORTED THE FIELD IN SIGHT. HE THEN SAID HE WAS GOING TO CIRCLE TO LOSE ALTITUDE PRIOR TO LANDING. ON VISUAL FINAL APPROACH, HE STRUCK THE ROOF OF A HOUSE AND CRASH LANDED ON A ROAD. HE WAS APPROX 1 DEGREE BELOW STANDARD GLIDE SLOPE WHEN HE STRUCK THE HOUSE. A LARGE QUANTITY OF UNSECURED PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN THE REAR OF THE PLANE FLEW FORWARD UPON IMPACT. THE PILOT WAS NOT WEARING THE SHOULDER HARNESS INSTALLED ABOVE HIS SEAT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT DIVERTED INTO ANGOLA, AN AIRFIELD HE HAD NEVER LANDED AT BEFORE, DUE TO AN UNIDENTIFIED ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AT NIGHT. HE WAS GIVEN VECTORS TO THE AIRPORT AND REPORTED THE FIELD IN SIGHT. HE THEN SAID HE WAS GOING TO CIRCLE TO LOSE ALTITUDE PRIOR TO LANDING. ON VISUAL FINAL APPROACH, HE STRUCK THE ROOF OF A HOUSE AND CRASH LANDED ON A ROAD. HE WAS APPROX 1 DEGREE BELOW STANDARD GLIDE SLOPE WHEN HE STRUCK THE HOUSE. A LARGE QUANTITY OF UNSECURED PERSONAL BELONGINGS IN THE REAR OF THE PLANE FLEW FORWARD UPON IMPACT. THE PILOT WAS NOT WEARING THE SHOULDER HARNESS INSTALLED ABOVE HIS SEAT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:58 EDT
Nearest AirportTri-State Steuben County (1nm NE)
Runway23
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-34-200
Tail NumberN44603
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1E6 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind210° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:50
Weather SourceWFAC