# NTSB DEN92FA085: Piper PA-32-301T, N8175Z, Kit Carson, CO, August 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1992, 20:50 local (Aug 17, 1992, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Kit Carson, CO
- Coordinates: 38.760459, -102.790649 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7605&lon=-102.7906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18159
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92FA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18159/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92FA085

## Probable cause

THE PILOT BECOMING SPATIALLY DISORIENTED AND EXCEEDING THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT.  FACTORS WERE:  THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A WEATHER BRIEFING, HIS ATTEMPTED VFR FLIGHT INTO A LEVEL SIX THUNDERSTORM, AND HIS LACK OF INSTRUMENT TIME.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THERE IS NO RECORD THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT OBTAINED AN FAA WEATHER BRIEFING OR FILED A FLIGHT PLAN BEFORE DEPARTING HUTCHISON, KS, ENROUTE TO COLORADO SPRINGS, CO.  THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND TWO DAYS LATER SCATTERED 0.7 MILES IN AN OPEN FIELD.  PIECES OF THE RIGHT WING, HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS, AND CABIN ROOF WERE FOUND STREWN ALONG THE WRECKAGE PATH.  THE LEFT WING AND VERTICAL STABILIZER REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE AIRPLANE BY CONTROL CABLES.  THE CABIN WAS GUTTED BY FIRE.  THE RIGHT WING SPAR STUB WAS BENT DOWN AND AFT.  THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER SPAR STUB WAS BENT DOWN AND AFT, AND THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER SPAR STUB WAS BENT UP AND AFT. THE PILOT WAS KNOWN TO USE HIS STRIKE FINDER TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THUNDERSTORMS.  NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR SHOWED A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA OF KIT CARSON AT THE ESTIMATED TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  MAXIMUM INTENSITY WAS LEVEL SIX.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8175Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8175Z-1993-01-29), registration cancelled 1993-01-29, S/N 328024014 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301t) (registry code 7103209) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8024014
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mckenzie, Joseph A. & Mary E.
- Registered owner: Mckenzie, Joseph A. & Mary E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1991
- Departed: HUT, HUTCHISON, KS
- Destination: COS, COLORADO SPRING, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 280 total, 193 in this make and model, 212 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk

## 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 19920816031979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920816031979A), Aug 16, 1992: Piper PA32301T, Kit Carson, CO, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into thunderstorm. Exceeded design limits. Airframe failed. Prior IFR into thunderstorm areas reported.

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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