# NTSB CHI82FA365: Piper PA-28-181, N82717, Mankato, MN, September 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1982, 21:09 local (Sep 25, 1982, 02:09 UTC)
- Place: Mankato, MN
- Coordinates: 44.160373, -93.989273 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1604&lon=-93.9893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FA365
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA365

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command
  - fatigue, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 1530 CDT, THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED MATTOON, IL ON A FLIGHT TO MANKATO, MN. HOWEVER, THE PILOT LANDED AT ALBERT LEA, MN WHERE HE REFUELED AND TOPPED THE TANKS WITH 45.5 GAL OF FUEL. THE AIRCRAFT'S USABLE SUPPLY WAS 48 GAL. WHILE REFUELING, HE REPORTEDLY TOLD THE AIRPORT MANAGER THAT HE THOUGHT HE WAS AT MANKATO WHEN HE WAS LANDING AT ALBERT LEA. ALBERT LEA WAS ABOUT 42 MI FROM MANKATO. THE AIRPORT MANAGER STATED THAT THE PILOT LOOKED TIRED AND THAT HE (THE MANAGER) TRIED TO PRESUADE THE PILOT TO CONTINUE THE TRIP BY AUTOMOBILE. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED ALBERT LEA AT ABOUT 2050 CDT. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE PILOT CONTACTED MANKATO UNICOM AND WAS PROVIDED LANDING INFORMATION. DURING A NIGHT LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A POWER LINE ABOUT 65 FT AGL AND 4327 FT FROM THE RUNWAY, THEN NOSED OVER AND IMPACTED IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE. THE TWO FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS WERE FATALLY INJURED. TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEATS, BOTH IN CHILD RESTRAINT SEATS, SURVIVED, ONE WITH MINOR INJURIES. RWY VASI LGTS ON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82717](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82717-1983-12-14), registration cancelled 1983-12-14, S/N 28-8190286 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8190286
- Airframe hours: 379
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Twin City Aviation
- Registered owner: Phil & Betty Sawyer
- Departed: ALBERT LEA, MN
- Destination: MANKATO, MN
- Airport: MKT, Mankato, runway 33, 5,400 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 80 total, 8 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 127 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RWF, 56 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820924053199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820924053199A), Sep 24, 1982: Piper PA28181, Mankato, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft hit static line above powerlines and crashed inverted during approach for landing.

## Other investigations on N82717 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI83LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA192), Apr 26, 1983: Piper PA-28-181 (N82717), Minneapolis, MN, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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