NTSB Identification: CHI84LA040.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 22476.
Accident occurred Sunday, November 13, 1983 in MANKATO, MN
Aircraft: PIPER PA-28-140, registration: N6128W
Injuries: 1 Serious.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.THE PLT RECEIVED 2 WX BRIEFINGS BEFORE THE FLT & WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. PRIOR TO DEPARTING, THE 50 GAL FUEL SYS WAS SERVICED WITH 35 GAL OF FUEL. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE FLT, HE DESCENDED THE ACFT THRU A HOLE IN THE CLOUDS ABOVE A HIGHWAY. HE THEN FOLLOWED ANOTHER HIGHWAY & TURNED TOWARD THE DESTINATION ARPT. WHILE UNDER A LOW CLOUD COVER, HE ENCUNTERED HALE & GROUND FOG, THEN BECAME DISORIENTED. HE THEN TRIED TO FIND THE HIGHWAY AGAIN TO LAND, BUT CRASHED INTO A HILL IN AN OPEN FIELD AT NIGHT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS .25 GAL OF FUEL IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK & 1.5 GAL OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK. TWO LOCAL RESIDENTS STATED THAT THEY HEARD THE ACFT FLYING IN THE AREA FOR ABOUT 10 MIN PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THEY REPORTED THAT THE ACFT MISSED THEIR HOUSE BY ABOUT 4 FT WHEN IT MADE THE LAST CIRCLE. THEY WATCHED IT GO OVER THEIR HOUSE, THEN HEARD IT CRASH INTO A HILL.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC..CONTINUED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
LIGHT CONDITION..DARK NIGHT
Contributing Factors
FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER..INITIATED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..CLOUDS
Contributing Factors
DELAYED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED..INADVERTENT..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..LOW CEILING
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..FOG
Contributing Factors
FLUID,FUEL..LOW LEVEL
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..HAZE/SMOKE
Contributing Factors
TERRAIN CONDITION..MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY
Index for Nov1983 | Index of months