# NTSB CHI91FA053: Piper PA-28-161, N84499, Gardner, KS, December 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1990, 19:00 local (Dec 27, 1990, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Gardner, KS
- Coordinates: 38.810668, -94.919784 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8107&lon=-94.9198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14890
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91FA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14890/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA053

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.  DARKNESS WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT NIGHT ON AN IFR FLIGHT IN VFR CONDITIONS, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER.  ALSO, HE SAID THE AIRCRAFT HAD FULL FUEL TANKS AND THE APPLICATION OF CARBURETOR HEAD DID NOT HELP.  HE WAS VECTORED TOWARD THE NEAREST AIRPORT BY ATC.  HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT HIT A TREE AND CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD ABOUT FOUR MILES SHORT OF THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84499](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84499-1991-10-07), registration cancelled 1991-10-07, S/N 288216034 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 82-16034
- Airframe hours: 4158
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Kansas City Aviation Center
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 14, 1990, 16 hours before
- Departed: SLN, SALINA, KS
- Destination: OJC, OLATHE, KS
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,147 total, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OJC, 15 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 19901226056199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901226056199A), Dec 26, 1990: Piper PA28161, Gardner, KS, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Reported losing power and struck trees at high speed. Witness report engines full power. Trim full nose down.

## Other investigations on N84499 (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 MKC85LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA044), Jan 6, 1985: Piper PA-28-161 (N84499), Olathe, KS, 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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