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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

August 31, 1986 · Piper PA-28-140 · N4233J

Elkhart, KS

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 31, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Elkhart, KS
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N4233J
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC86FA181

THE STUDENT PLT INTENDED TO FLY FROM HIS HOME ARPT TO A NEARBY ARPT WHERE HE WAS RECEIVING FLT INSTRUCTION. NO RECORD OF A WX BRIEFING WAS FOUND. LOCAL AUTHORITIES SAID THERE WERE LOW CLOUDS AND FOG IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. NO ONE SAW THE ACFT TAKEOFF BUT THE PLT WAS SEEN IN LOCAL RESTAURANT A SHORT TIME BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE ABOUT 100 FT FROM TWO RESIDENCES. AN OCCUPANT OF ONE OF THE RESIDENCES SAW THE ACFT CRASH AND SAID IT WAS DESCENDING NEARLY VERTICAL JUST BEFORE IMPACT. HE ALSO SAID THE ENG NOISE INCREASED JUST BEFORE IMPACT.

Full Narrative

THE STUDENT PLT INTENDED TO FLY FROM HIS HOME ARPT TO A NEARBY ARPT WHERE HE WAS RECEIVING FLT INSTRUCTION. NO RECORD OF A WX BRIEFING WAS FOUND. LOCAL AUTHORITIES SAID THERE WERE LOW CLOUDS AND FOG IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. NO ONE SAW THE ACFT TAKEOFF BUT THE PLT WAS SEEN IN LOCAL RESTAURANT A SHORT TIME BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE ABOUT 100 FT FROM TWO RESIDENCES. AN OCCUPANT OF ONE OF THE RESIDENCES SAW THE ACFT CRASH AND SAID IT WAS DESCENDING NEARLY VERTICAL JUST BEFORE IMPACT. HE ALSO SAID THE ENG NOISE INCREASED JUST BEFORE IMPACT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:50 MDT
Nearest AirportELKHART (1nm W)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN4233J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2 · Reciprocating · 140
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data