# NTSB MKC82DA156: Skybolt, N5464E, Sidney, NE, August 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1982, 18:30 local (Aug 25, 1982, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Sidney, NE
- Coordinates: 41.129375, -102.969306 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1294&lon=-102.9693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82DA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72620/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA156

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PILOT USED HIS 1981 ISSUE OF THE AOPA AIRPORT DIRECTORY TO SELECT A RUNWAY FOR LANDING AT SIDNEY, NE. THE DIRECTORY SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A 3800 FT SOD RUNWAY (08/26) AND A 6600 FT CONCRETE RUNWAY (12/30). THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON THE SOD RUNWAY, NOT KNOWING IT HAD BEEN CLOSED. DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A DRAINAGE DITCH THAT HAD BEEN DUG ACROSS THE AREA. THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING LANDING, HIS FORWARD VISIBILITY WAS POOR AND HE DID NOT SEE THE DITCH UNTIL JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE AIRPORT MANAGER STATED THAT THE SOD RUNWAY HAD BEEN CLOSED FOR OVER A YEAR AND THE RUNWAY BOUNDARY MARKERS HAD BEEN REMOVED. ALSO, HE SAID THAT RECENTLY, WHEAT HAD BEEN HARVESTED FROM THE AREA PREVIOUSLY USED AS A RUNWAY AND A DRAINAGE DITCH HAD BEEN DUG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5464E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5464E-1985-05-17), registration cancelled 1985-05-17, S/N CD1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SKYBOLT
- Registry model: [Anderson Robert A SKYBOLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/anderson-robert-a-skybolt) (registry code 05655Z1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: CD-1
- Airframe hours: 68
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-435-1 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clint N. Collins
- Registered owner: Clint N. Collins
- Departed: OBERLIN, KS
- Destination: SIDNEY, NE
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SNY, Sidney Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,022 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,977 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 165 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNY

## 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 19820824043199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820824043199A), Aug 24, 1982: Amtrsn SKYBOLT, Sidney, NE, Substantial damage. Landed on a closed runway and struck a ditch. Factors no closed markers, vision obscured by airplanes nose.

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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