# NTSB DEN81FA061: Piper PA-28, N8415N, 40 Mi S Casper, WY, August 23, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 23, 1981
- Place: 40 Mi S Casper, WY · 40 MI S CASPER, WY
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 5, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123912
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN81FA061
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81FA061

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2495  81/8/23    40 MI S CASPER,WY   PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 39, 212
        TIME - 0900                    N8415N              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 46 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CASPER,WY                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: BUZZING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
        REMARKS- PLT BLOOD ALCOHOL .043% & .064% IN VITREOUS SAMPLE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8415N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8415N-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N 28-8116271, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19810823050989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810823050989A), Aug 23, 1981: Piper PA28161, Casper, WY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into open pit mine. Struck high voltage wires and wall of mine. Pilot's alcohol level in euphoria range.

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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