# NTSB CHI92FA266: Piper PA-28-180, N5272L, Ness City, KS, September 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1992, 00:20 local (05:20 UTC)
- Place: Ness City, KS
- Coordinates: 38.449039, -99.900657 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4490&lon=-99.9007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15310
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA266
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15310/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA266

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S (CFI) FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL NIGHT VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED CONTROLLED FLIGHT AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.  SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY INCAPACITATION OF THE PILOTS OR MECHANICAL ANOMALIES OF THE AIRPLANE.  MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS EXISTED IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT SITE DURING THE TIME OF THE FLIGHT.  THE WEATHER CONDITIONS CONSISTED OF CLOUD BASES AT 2,000 FEET AGL, WITH TOPS TO ABOVE 30,000 FEET, INCLUDING A FORECAST FOR LIGHT TO MODERATE TURBULENCE BELOW 11,000 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5272L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5272L-1993-12-07), registration cancelled 1993-12-07, S/N 284570 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-4570
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Mc Cosh, Joseph D.
- Registered owner: Mc Cosh, Joseph D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 19, 1992
- Departed: GCK, GARDEN CITY, KS
- Destination: K75, OSBORNE, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 25 knots

## 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 19920905035549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920905035549A), Sep 5, 1992: Piper PA28180, Ness City, KS, Destroyed, 4 fatal. High velocity ground impact. Dry frontal passage and severe turbulence in area. Lost control in severe turbulence.

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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