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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 5, 1992 · Piper PA-28-180 · N5272L

Ness City, KS

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 5, 1992
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Ness City, KS
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N5272L
Operator
Mc Cosh Joseph D
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI92FA266

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL NIGHT VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED CONTROLLED FLIGHT AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY INCAPACITATION OF THE PILOTS OR MECHANICAL ANOMALIES OF THE AIRPLANE. MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS EXISTED IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT SITE DURING THE TIME OF THE FLIGHT. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS CONSISTED OF CLOUD BASES AT 2,000 FEET AGL, WITH TOPS TO ABOVE 30,000 FEET, INCLUDING A FORECAST FOR LIGHT TO MODERATE TURBULENCE BELOW 11,000 FEET.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S (CFI) FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.

Full Narrative

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL NIGHT VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED CONTROLLED FLIGHT AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY INCAPACITATION OF THE PILOTS OR MECHANICAL ANOMALIES OF THE AIRPLANE. MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS EXISTED IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT SITE DURING THE TIME OF THE FLIGHT. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS CONSISTED OF CLOUD BASES AT 2,000 FEET AGL, WITH TOPS TO ABOVE 30,000 FEET, INCLUDING A FORECAST FOR LIGHT TO MODERATE TURBULENCE BELOW 11,000 FEET.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN5272L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMc Cosh Joseph D
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind180° @ 25 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data