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November 14, 1983 · Piper PA-28-140 · N6128W

Mankato, MN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 14, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Mankato, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N6128W
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI84LA040

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.

Full Narrative

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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:56 CST
Nearest Airport2nm NW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN6128W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind140° @ 10 kt
CeilingOvercast 200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 34 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data