Piper PA-28-235 accident near Indianapolis, Indiana, September 6, 1987
On September 6, 1987 at about 4:12 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-235, registered N9287W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Indianapolis, Indiana (Indianapolis Int. airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt. 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
- September 6, 1987 · about 4:12 pm local time
- Place
- Indianapolis, Indiana · Indianapolis Int.
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-235 · all PA-28-235s on the register
- Registration
- N9287W · no longer on the register · serial 2810963
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT WAS ON THE THIRD TKOF OF THE DAY WHEN THE ENG STOPPED ON INITIAL CLIMB AT THE PILOTS ESTIMATED ALT OF 500 FT. HE DID A 180 TURN BACK TO THE ARPT BUT TOUCHED DOWN SHORT AND RAN THROUGH THE PERIMETER FENCE. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE MUFFLER CONTAINED A SEVEN INCH CRACK, SIX INCHES OF WHICH WERE FOUND RUSTED WITH ROUNDED ERODED EDGES. THE MUFFLER SHROUD HAD A CORRESPONDING HOLE 6.7 INCHES LONG AND APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH WIDE. MELTED METAL WAS FOUND ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE SHROUD AND A FUEL PRESSURE LINE, LOCATED IN THE AREA OF THE CRACKED MUFFLER, WAS FOUND BURNED. FAA INSPECTORS INDICATED THAT THE CARBURETOR ALTERNATE AIR INTAKE AND THE INSIDE OF THE CARBURETOR THROAT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN INFLIGHT FIRE.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 998 hours in all; 22 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,746 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 13, 1986
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Progressive Flying Club
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 7,600 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:17 pm from IND, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.