# NTSB DEN82FA034: Piper PA-23, N5799Y, Mitchell, SD, February 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1982, 20:50 local (Feb 18, 1982, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Mitchell, SD
- Coordinates: 43.730102, -98.029548 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7301&lon=-98.0295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71730/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FA034

## Analysis

AS THE PILOT APPROACHED SIOUX FALLS HE RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT IT WAS BELOW MINIMUMS, SO HE STARTED TO DIVERT. AS HE PASSED OVER SIOUX FALLS HE COULD SEE MITCHELL, SD, WHICH APPEARED TO BE CLEAR, THEREFORE, HE ELECTED TO LAND THERE. IT CONTINUED TO LOOK CLEAR UNTIL HE WAS ON A SHORT FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING. WITH THE LANDING LIGHT ON, HIS VISUAL REFERENCES WERE LOST. AFTER TURNING THE LANDING LIGHT OFF, HE COULD AGAIN SEE THE RUNWAY LIGHTS (AT ABOUT 20 FT AGL). AS HE DESCENDED FURTHER THE LIGHTS BECAME BARELY VISIBLE AND HE FLARED AT AN ANGLE TO THE RUNWAY. BY THIS TIME HE REALIZED HE WAS HEADED FOR THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY BUT IT WAS TOO LATE TO CORRECT OR GO AROUND. THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 1/2 ON AND 1/2 OFF THE RUNWAY. AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 20 FT IN SNOW ABOUT 6 INCHES DEEP, THE NOSE GEAR FAILED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5799Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5799Y-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 27-2930, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-2930
- Airframe hours: 5061
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4B5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Four Lakes Aviation Corp
- Registered owner: Four Lakes Aviation Corp
- Departed: WATERLOO, IA
- Destination: SIOUX FALLS, SD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MHE, Mitchell Municipal, runway 12, 6,750 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,912 total, 275 in this make and model, 2,732 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820217004469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820217004469A), Feb 17, 1982: Piper PA23250, Mitchell, SD, Substantial damage. Pilot made approach to landing and lost sight of ground during flare causing aircraft to crash off side of runway.

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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