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NTSB Report
August 6, 1986 · Piper PA-28-235 · N4383X
Shelby, IN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1986
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Shelby, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-235
Tail Number
N4383X
Operator
Hall S Laundries
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI86FA200
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT INITIATED THE VFR FLIGHT FROM WHEELING, IL, TO MADISON, IN, IN MARGINAL WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ON THE AFTERNOON OF THE FOLLOWING DAY ABOUT 26 MILES SOUTH OF GARY, IN. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED AN IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP WHEREIN BOTH WINGS, THE RIGHT STABILATOR AND THE VERTICAL FIN AND RUDDER SEPARATED. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE BREAKUP OCCURRED BECAUSE OF AERODYNAMIC FORCES THAT EXCEEDED THE DESIGN LIMITATIONS.
Full Narrative
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT INITIATED THE VFR FLIGHT FROM WHEELING, IL, TO MADISON, IN, IN MARGINAL WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ON THE AFTERNOON OF THE FOLLOWING DAY ABOUT 26 MILES SOUTH OF GARY, IN. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED AN IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP WHEREIN BOTH WINGS, THE RIGHT STABILATOR AND THE VERTICAL FIN AND RUDDER SEPARATED. INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE BREAKUP OCCURRED BECAUSE OF AERODYNAMIC FORCES THAT EXCEEDED THE DESIGN LIMITATIONS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:00 CDT
Nearest AirportGary Municipal (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-235
Tail NumberN4383X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHall S Laundries
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 6 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:47
Weather SourceWFAC