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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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July 27, 1985 · Piper PA-18 · N9973Q

North Loup, NE

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 27, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
North Loup, NE
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N9973Q
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC85FA169

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING LOW OVER THE GROUND IN THE VICINITY OF WHERE IT EVENTUALLY CRASHED. A WITNESS APRX 1/2 MI FROM THE CRASH SITE NOTICED THE PLANE FLYING LOW OVER A CORN FIELD AS THOUGH THE STUDENT PLT WAS PRACTICING AG-ACFT TYPE SWATH RUNS. (THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR SUCH OPERATIONS). AT THE END OF EACH SWATH RUN, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO PULL UP SHARPLY. AFTER THE LAST PULL-UP, IT ROTATED 180 DEG AT THE TOP OF THE MANEUVER, THEN DESCENDED & IMPACTED THE GROUND WHERE IT BURNED & WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE FLT CONTROL CONNECTIONS WERE INTACT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING LOW OVER THE GROUND IN THE VICINITY OF WHERE IT EVENTUALLY CRASHED. A WITNESS APRX 1/2 MI FROM THE CRASH SITE NOTICED THE PLANE FLYING LOW OVER A CORN FIELD AS THOUGH THE STUDENT PLT WAS PRACTICING AG-ACFT TYPE SWATH RUNS. (THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED FOR SUCH OPERATIONS). AT THE END OF EACH SWATH RUN, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO PULL UP SHARPLY. AFTER THE LAST PULL-UP, IT ROTATED 180 DEG AT THE TOP OF THE MANEUVER, THEN DESCENDED & IMPACTED THE GROUND WHERE IT BURNED & WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE FLT CONTROL CONNECTIONS WERE INTACT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN9973Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-200-D · Reciprocating · 135
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 20 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:45
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data