# NTSB MKC80DER21: Piper PA-28, N15968, Battle Lake, MN, January 25, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: January 25, 1980
- Place: Battle Lake, MN · BATTLE LAKE, MN
- Location: 46.2849° N, 95.7187° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Battle Lake, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2849&lon=-95.7187&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131390
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC80DER21
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC80DER21

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1093  80/1/25    BATTLE LAKE,MN      PIPER PA-28         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 56, 980
        TIME - 1925                    N15968              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 800 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BATTLE LAKE MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DULUTH,MN                   FERGUS FALLS,MN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED CLEARANCE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        REMARKS- HIT PWR LNS NR PLT'S HOME AT NGT.ENROUTE TO INFORM WIFE OF RTRN.WEARING PHOTO GREY TRI-FOCAL LENSE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15968](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15968), registered now, S/N 28-7305200, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Battle Lake 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 19800125001219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800125001219A), Jan 25, 1980: Piper PA28180, Battle Lake, MN, Substantial damage. Failed to observe altimeter on night flight. Used outside reference in area with no ground lights. Hit 30 ft. wires

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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