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NTSB Report
December 30, 1986 · Piper PA-31T · N74NL
Merrillville, IN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 30, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Merrillville, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-31T
Tail Number
N74NL
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI87FA058
THE ACFT WAS ENROUTE TO THE CHICAGO MIDWAY ARPT. WHILE LETTING DOWN TO 16000 FT THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS SHUTTING DOWN THE RIGHT ENG. ARTCC CLEARED THE ACFT TO 5000 FT. TEN MINUTES LATER ARTCC LOST RADIO TRANSPONDER AND MODE C CONTACT. 15 MINUTES LATER THE ACFT DESCENDED OUT OF THE 1800 FT OVERCAST AND STRUCK A 170 FT UTILITY TOWER AT THE 150 FT LEVEL. THE ACFT THEN GROUND IMPACTED AND BURNED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RT ENGINE HAD A BEARING FAILURE DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS ENROUTE TO THE CHICAGO MIDWAY ARPT. WHILE LETTING DOWN TO 16000 FT THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS SHUTTING DOWN THE RIGHT ENG. ARTCC CLEARED THE ACFT TO 5000 FT. TEN MINUTES LATER ARTCC LOST RADIO TRANSPONDER AND MODE C CONTACT. 15 MINUTES LATER THE ACFT DESCENDED OUT OF THE 1800 FT OVERCAST AND STRUCK A 170 FT UTILITY TOWER AT THE 150 FT LEVEL. THE ACFT THEN GROUND IMPACTED AND BURNED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RT ENGINE HAD A BEARING FAILURE DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:54 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-31T
Tail NumberN74NL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · PT-6A-28 · Reciprocating · 620
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind330° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time08:50
Weather SourceWFAC