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NTSB Report
August 21, 1983 · Piper PA-28-181 · N8422U
Box Elder, SD
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 1983
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Box Elder, SD
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N8422U
Operator
James Anthony Rieganek
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN83FTK04
BEFORE REACHING HIS DESTINATION, THE PLT CONTACTED APCH CONTROL & REPORTED THAT HE WAS ABOUT 40 MI AWAY & WAS LOW ON FUEL. ABOUT 10 MIN LATER, THE ACFT RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE PLT STATED THAT HE 'COULD POSSIBLY MAKE ELLSWORTH' BUT THE CONTROLLER TOLD HIM THAT ELLSWORTH AFB WAS CLOSED (FOR AN AIRSHOW). THE PLT THEN TURNED AWAY FROM THE AFB & SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN A FIELD. INITIAL IMPACT WAS WITH A TREE. THE ACFT THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND & CAME TO REST IN A CREEK. THE PLT'S WIFE SUFFERED A BROKEN LEG & WAS UNCONSCIOUS FOR 5 DAYS. SHE NEARLY DROWNED AFTER THE PLANE CRASHED, BUT THE PLT & ANOTHER PERSON HELD HER HEAD OUT OF WATER UNTIL SHE COULD BE EXTRICATED FROM THE WRECKAGE.
Full Narrative
BEFORE REACHING HIS DESTINATION, THE PLT CONTACTED APCH CONTROL & REPORTED THAT HE WAS ABOUT 40 MI AWAY & WAS LOW ON FUEL. ABOUT 10 MIN LATER, THE ACFT RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE PLT STATED THAT HE 'COULD POSSIBLY MAKE ELLSWORTH' BUT THE CONTROLLER TOLD HIM THAT ELLSWORTH AFB WAS CLOSED (FOR AN AIRSHOW). THE PLT THEN TURNED AWAY FROM THE AFB & SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN A FIELD. INITIAL IMPACT WAS WITH A TREE. THE ACFT THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND & CAME TO REST IN A CREEK. THE PLT'S WIFE SUFFERED A BROKEN LEG & WAS UNCONSCIOUS FOR 5 DAYS. SHE NEARLY DROWNED AFTER THE PLANE CRASHED, BUT THE PLT & ANOTHER PERSON HELD HER HEAD OUT OF WATER UNTIL SHE COULD BE EXTRICATED FROM THE WRECKAGE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:34 MDT
Nearest Airport5nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN8422U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJames Anthony Rieganek
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 8 kt
Visibility35 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC