# NTSB FTW85FA230: Piper PA-28-140, N7053R, Junction City, KS, May 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1985, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Junction City, KS
- Coordinates: 39.020851, -96.840263 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0209&lon=-96.8403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21550
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21550/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA230

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, cruise - normal
  - visual lookout - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - separation (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Midair collision, cruise - normal
  - visual lookout - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - poor, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - , other crewmember (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - poor, other crewmember (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - autorotation - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

ARMY UH-1V AND N7053R, A PIPER PA-28, COLLIDED IN MID AIR AT 700 FEET AGL. BOTH ACFT WERE IN LVL FLT. UH-1V WAS OPERATING ON A MEDICAL EVACUATION FLT WITH A CREW OF FOUR, ONE PATIENT AND TWO ATTENDANTS. THE UH-1V EXECUTED A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION WITH SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND NO INJURIES. THE PIPER CRASHED OUT OF CONTROL AFTER ITS RIGHT WING WAS CUT OFF BY THE HELICOPTER'S ROTOR BLADES. THE ARMY PILOTS REPORTED THAT WHEN THE PIPER WAS FIRST SIGHTED IT WAS 45 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT OF THEIR AIRCRAFT'S NOSE. THE HELICOPTER PILOT BEGAN A DIVING LEFT TURN BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. THE CO-PILOT STATED THAT THE PIPER EXECUTED AN EXTREMELY STEEP RIGHT TURN JUST BEFORE IMPACT. THE PILOT OF THE PIPER RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. BOTH AIRCRAFT HAD THE FORWARD HALF OF THE ROTATING BEACONS COVERED. THE UH-1V WITH TAPE AND THE PIPER WITH BLACK PAINT.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N7053R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7053R-1989-01-05), registration cancelled 1989-01-05, S/N 2821751 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-21751
- Airframe hours: 2399
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffery M Hoch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1984, 10 hours before
- Departed: 7K1, HERINGTON, KS
- Destination: MHK, MANHATTAN, KS

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: USA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELL UH-1V
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 71-20105
- Airframe hours: 4671
- Engines: LYCOMING T53-L133A 1400 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Armed forces
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: FRI, FT. RILEY, KS
- Destination: TOP, TOPEKA, KS
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N7053R; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 127 total, 118 in this make and model, 82 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft 2; age 38; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,560 total, 3,500 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FRI, 5 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 19850522023321A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850522023321A), May 22, 1985: Piper PA28140, Manhattan, KS, Destroyed. Collided with army helicopter during descent to Manhattan muni. Right wing severed by main rotor blades.

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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