# NTSB DEN83FA114: Piper PA-28R, N33066, Burns, WY, May 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1983, 18:45 local (May 17, 1983, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Burns, WY
- Coordinates: 41.189548, -104.349067 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1895&lon=-104.3491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15985
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15985/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FA114

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control,stabilator - overload (contributing factor)
  - wing - overload (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

BEFORE DEPARTING, THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING & WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED THRU WESTERN NEBRASKA & EASTERN WYOMING. A FRONTAL WX SYS WAS FORCASTED TO PRODUCE THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WITH ASSOCIATED TURBULENCE & RAIN. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT WAS ANXIOUS TO MAKE THE FLT SO HE COULD DELIVER NEEDED PARTS FOR A MACHINE THAT WAS TO BE USED IN A PUBLICLY ADVERTISED DEMONSTRATION. ADDITIONALLY, HE FELT HE COULD HELP HIS PARTNER COMPLETE THE PROJECT IN TIME FOR THE DEMONSTRATION. THE PLT ELECTED TO FILE A VFR FLT & THEN DEPARTED AS PLANNED. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED WX & SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED. JUST BEFORE IMPACT, THE ACFT WAS SEEN SPIRALING AFTER IT CAME OUT OF A LOW OVERCAST WITH NO RIGHT WING OR TAIL SECTION. AFTER THE PLANE CRASHED, A WITNESS SAW THE RIGHT WING 'DRIFTING DOWN.' AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT BOTH HORIZONTAL STABILATORS FAILED FROM POSITIVE AIRLOADS & THE RIGHT OUTBOARD  WING SECTION FAILED FROM NEGATIVE AIRLOADS. NO EVIDENCE FOUND OF A MALFUNCTION/FAILURE BEFORE INFLT BREAKUP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N33066 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7535115
- Airframe hours: 4175
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-260-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stouffer Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HYS, HAYS, KS
- Destination: 4113, CHESTER, MT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 221 total, 68 in this make and model, 177 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 50° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CYS, 20 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 19830516070039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830516070039A), May 16, 1983: Piper PA28R200, Burns, WY, Destroyed. Pilot continued into adverse weather conditions and lost control of aircraft. Pilot had been briefed on weather.

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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