Pilot Debrief

Piper PA32 near Kokomo, IN — 2020-09-20

Final reportCEN20LA401
Sign in to save
Date
2020-09-20
Location
Kokomo, IN, USA
Airport
8I3
Aircraft
Piper PA32
Registration
N8213X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
3
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a utility pole and the subsequent collision with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The airplane owner reported that the accident pilot had volunteered to fly the airplane in support of a charity fundraising event. It was the pilot’s first flight of the day. The accident pilot was a local pilot and had flown the airplane for the event the entire day prior with no issues, so he was familiar with the airport’s approach. A witness reported that the airplane appeared low on the approach. He noted the flaps were extended and the engine was running. Then the airplane’s nose-gear and the right main landing gear “clipped” a utility pole. The airplane subsequently impacted in a cornfield and immediately caught fire. The witness added that it did not appear the airplane tried to climb to avoid the power lines before striking the utility pole. The airplane struck the tops of a 79 ft wood power pole and a 61 ft wood dual pole utility tower on the approach to runway 18 about 875 ft north of the approach end of runway. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The accident is consistent with the pilot’s failure to see the utility poles while on the approach.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have initiated a climb to avoid the power lines before striking the utility pole.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 12 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents12

Related mishaps