# NTSB MKC79FCQ11: Piper PA-31, N23L, Dodge City, KS, January 23, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: January 23, 1979
- Place: Dodge City, KS · DODGE CITY, KS
- Location: 37.7607° N, 100.0184° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Dodge City, KS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7607&lon=-100.0184&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 137683
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC79FCQ11
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FCQ11

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0109  79/1/23    DODGE CITY,KS       PIPER PA-31         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 42, 2728
        TIME - 0355                    N23L                PX-  0  0  5  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 1015 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DODGE CITY MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          JACKSON,MS                  DODGE CITY,KS
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - SNOW
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               300
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/4 MILE OR LESS                                         SNOW
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          BLOWING SNOW                                              15
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          360                                                       30
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          BELOW MINIMUMS                                           IFR
        REMARKS- WIND PEAK GUSTS 55KTS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N23L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Dodge City 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 19790123001419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790123001419A), Jan 23, 1979: Piper PA31, Dodge City, KS, Substantial damage. On VOR approach,hit ground 3 miles short of airport. Went 390 ft below mda. Possible wind shear.

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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