# NTSB DEN84LA256: Piper PA-36-285, N56687, Kennebec, SD, August 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1984, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Kennebec, SD
- Coordinates: 43.899131, -99.860679 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8991&lon=-99.8607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16459/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA256

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS 25 FEET IN THE AIR A DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED NEAR A SMALL HILL AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE DESCENT CAUSED BY THE DOWNDRAFT COULD NOT BE ARRESTED AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED 400 POUNDS BELOW MAXIMUM TAKEOFF WEIGHT AND DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3800 FEET. WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE OUT OF THE WEST AT 5 TO 7 KNOTS, A HEAD WIND, ACCORDING TO THE PLT. THE PLT DID NOT HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF MAX GROSS WT OF THE ACC ACFT (3900#) HE SAID IT WAS 4400#,WHICH IS CORRECT FOR ANOTHER AG ACFT, WHICH THE PLT HAD USED ON OCCASION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56687](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56687-1993-05-19), registration cancelled 1993-05-19, S/N 367460004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-285
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7460004
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TIRA-6-285 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Harold Kreager
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 18, 1984, 176 hours before
- Airport: Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 18,236 total, 17,236 in this make and model, 400 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19840808042699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840808042699A), Aug 8, 1984: Piper PA36285, Kennebec, SD, Substantial damage. Unable to climb or remain airborne after takeoff. Crash landed off end of the runway. Density altitude a factor.

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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