# NTSB MKC82FA008: Piper PA-28, N2138B, Le Mars, IA, November 26, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 26, 1981
- Place: Le Mars, IA · LE MARS, IA
- Location: 42.7815° N, 96.1733° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Le Mars, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7815&lon=-96.1733&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123754
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82FA008
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82FA008

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2195  81/11/26   LE MARS,IA          PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 21, 109
        TIME - 0200                    N2138B              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 49 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LE MARS MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LE MARS,IA                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                 UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       36
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- PLT BLOOD ALCOHOL LVL 0.152%.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2138B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2138B-1982-12-22), registration cancelled 1982-12-22, S/N 28-7990120, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Le Mars 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 19811126078689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19811126078689A), Nov 26, 1981: Piper PA28181, Le Mars, IA, Destroyed. VFR pilot under influence of alcohol. Lost control of aircraft near airport in dark night. Low clouds and fog.

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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