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NTSB Report
April 8, 1984 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N56738
Lafayette, IN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 8, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Lafayette, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N56738
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI84LA150
THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING ACCURACY LANDINGS WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE ACFT HAD BLOWN AWAY FROM THE RWY. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE THE THROTTLE SETTING THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. IN AN ATTEMPT TO LAND ON A HIGHWAY ON-RAMP THE ACFT STRUCK AN ELECTRIC WIRE, A STREET SIGN & AN AUTOMOBILE. AN ON-GROUND FIRE INSUED. THE PROP CONTROL WAS FOUND IN HIGH PITCH, THE MIXTURE CONTROL IN IDLE CUTOFF & THE THROTTLE FULL OPEN. DUE TO SIMILARITY OF THE MIXTURE & PROP CONTROL KNOBS THE MIXTURE CONTROL MAY HAVE BEEN LEANED IN LIEU OF MOVING THE PROP CONTROL TO HIGH PITCH IN PREPARATION FOR THE ACCURACY LANDING. AN ENGINE RUN WAS SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISHED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING ACCURACY LANDINGS WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE ACFT HAD BLOWN AWAY FROM THE RWY. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE THE THROTTLE SETTING THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. IN AN ATTEMPT TO LAND ON A HIGHWAY ON-RAMP THE ACFT STRUCK AN ELECTRIC WIRE, A STREET SIGN & AN AUTOMOBILE. AN ON-GROUND FIRE INSUED. THE PROP CONTROL WAS FOUND IN HIGH PITCH, THE MIXTURE CONTROL IN IDLE CUTOFF & THE THROTTLE FULL OPEN. DUE TO SIMILARITY OF THE MIXTURE & PROP CONTROL KNOBS THE MIXTURE CONTROL MAY HAVE BEEN LEANED IN LIEU OF MOVING THE PROP CONTROL TO HIGH PITCH IN PREPARATION FOR THE ACCURACY LANDING. AN ENGINE RUN WAS SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISHED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 EST
Nearest AirportARETZ (1nm E)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN56738
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 22 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 7500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:01
Weather SourceWFAC