# NTSB MKC79FA020: Piper PA-31, N9170Y, Clinton, IA, February 28, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: February 28, 1979
- Place: Clinton, IA · CLINTON, IA
- Location: 41.8445° N, 90.1887° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clinton, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8445&lon=-90.1887&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 8 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 18, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 137301
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC79FA020
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FA020

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0366  79/2/28    CLINTON,IA          PIPER PA-31         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 43, 2500
        TIME - 2235                    N9170Y              PX-  0  0  7  CORP/EXEC                 TOTAL HOURS, 300 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CLINTON MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CLINTON,IA                  BURLINGTON,IA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT FACILITIES: RUNWAY LIGHTING
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1 MILE OR LESS                                           RAIN SHOWERS
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          FOG                                                      HEAD WIND 338-022 DEGREES
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           33                                                      IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR
        REMARKS- RWY LIGHTS NOT ON DUE TO C/B OUT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9170Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9170Y-2013-07-03), registration cancelled 2013-07-03, S/N 31-226, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Clinton Muni

## 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 19790228003829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790228003829A), Feb 28, 1979: Piper PA31, Clinton, IA, Substantial damage. Pilot took off at night in heavy rain from an unlighted rwy. Aircraft flew into the ground after retracting gear.

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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