# NTSB CHI96LA319: Piper PA-28-161, N47558, Pittsburg, KS, August 29, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 1996, 00:30 local (05:30 UTC) - Place: Pittsburg, KS - Coordinates: 37.410976, -94.689643 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4110&lon=-94.6896&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10379 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA319 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10379/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA319 ## Probable cause the pilot diverted his attention and failed to maintain sufficient altitude and clearance with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, and the pilot performing low altitude flight at night. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - light condition - night (contributing factor) - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot and passengers reported they had taken off at night with the intent to fly over the city and look at city lights. After doing so, the pilot circled his parent's home three times. He thought he saw the porch light go on so, he decided to circle one more time. The pilot reported that during the turn, the airplane apparently was descending, because once he completed the turn and was heading east, the airplane flew into the low side of a terrace. The airplane then became airborne, and the pilot added power in an attempt to climb. However, the airplane 'quit flying' came to rest in an open field. One of the passengers reported the airplane was less than 150 feet above the ground, when they were circling the residence. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 1996, at 0030 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 161, N47558, operated by Macs Aircraft Repair, Pittsburg, Kansas, collided with the terrain in Pittsburg, Kansas. The private pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. A second passenger received serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated from Pittsburg, Kansas, at 2330 cdt. The pilot and passengers reported they had taken off with the intent to fly over the city of Pittsburg to look at the city lights. The pilot stated that after doing so he circled his parent's home three times. He stated he them thought he saw the porch light go on so he decided to circle one more time. The pilot reported, "During the turn, apparently the airplane was descending because once I completed the turn and was heading east I flew the airplane into the low side of a terrace located in a pasture southwest of the house." The pilot continued to stated that the airplane then became airborne and he added power in an attempt to clear powerlines ahead of him. He stated the engine was not producing full power; however, they were able to clear the powerlines before the airplane "quit flying" coming to rest in an open field. One of the passengers reported the airplane was less than 150 feet above the ground when they were circling the residence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47558](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47558-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 28-7816095 (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: 28-7816095 - Airframe hours: 2581 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Macs Aircraft Repair - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 1996, 10 hours before - Departed: PTS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 92 total, 11 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 60° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CNU, 45 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 19960829031359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960829031359A), Aug 29, 1996: Piper PA28161, Pittsburg, KS, Substantial damage. Flew into ground circling his home at night. Failed to note loss of altitude. Impacted terrace in pasture. ## Other investigations on N47558 (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 FTW86LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA021), Oct 21, 1985: Piper PA-28-161 (N47558), Amite, LA, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.