Piper PA-32R-301 accident near Commercial Pt, Ohio, November 24, 1987
On November 24, 1987 at about 11:39 pm local time, a Piper PA-32R-301, registered N8046X, was destroyed in an accident near Commercial Pt, Ohio. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 24, 1987 · about 11:39 pm local time
- Place
- Commercial Pt, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-301 · all PA-32R-301s on the register
- Registration
- N8046X · no longer on the register · serial 32R8213024
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT CRASHED ON A WHEAT FIELD DURING A NIGHT INSTRUMENT TRAINING FLT. THE PLT HAD DECLARED A VACUUM SYSTEM FAILURE ABOUT 40 MINUTES AFTER TAKE-OFF BUT HE DECLINED ATC ASSISTANCE FOR A NO-GYRO APPROACH TO COLUMBUS. TWO MINUTES AFTER THE RADIO CALL RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. RADAR DATA DISCLOSED ERRATIC HEADING AND AIRSPEED CHANGES DURING THE LAST MINUTE OF FLT. DURING THE POST ACC INVESTIGATION EACH OF THE INSTRUMENTS WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN A SUCTION CUP. BUT NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE VACUUM SYSTEM WAS FOUND. THE ACFT HAD ALSO BEEN MODIFIED WITH A STAND BY VACUUM SYSTEM FOR USE IN AN EMERGENCY AFTER FAILURE OF THE PRIMARY SYSTEM. ONLY PIECES OF THE SYSTEM WERE FOUND DUE TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ACFT BUT THE AVAILABLE EVIDENCE SHOWED NO SIGNS OF MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. SUCTION CUPS, LIKE THE ONE FOUND, ARE USED BY INSTRUCTORS TO COVER INSTRUMENTS FOR PARTIAL PANEL TRAINING.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 472 in the last 90 days; 2,800 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,840 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 23, 1987; 73 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Scope Leasing
The flight
- Departed from: Columbus OH at 10:58 pm
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,500 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm from CMH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.