# NTSB MKC82FCD10: Piper 28-236, N2157A, Liscomb, IA, September 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1982, 20:10 local (Sep 7, 1982, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Liscomb, IA
- Location: 42.1913° N, 93.0063° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Liscomb, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1913&lon=-93.0063&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71438
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82FCD10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71438/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82FCD10

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ground
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

N2157A DEPARTED ON A VFR FLIGHT TO MARSHALLTOWN, IA. THERE IS NO RECORD OF A PILOT WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THE REPORTED WEATHER AT WATERLOO AIRPORT AT THE APPROXIMATE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS: MEASURED CEILING 600 FOOT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY ONE AND ONE-HALF MILES, LIGHT DRIZZLE AND FOG. THE PILOT HELD A PRIVATE CERTIFICATE WITH NO INSTRUMENT RATING. RECORD OF THE LAST BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW INDICATES THAT IT WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN 1979. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2157A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2157A-1988-07-18), registration cancelled 1988-07-18, S/N 287911005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER 28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287911005
- Airframe hours: 584
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Smittzer Gram Co.
- Registered owner: Smittzer Gram Co.
- Departed: GUTTENBERG, IA
- Destination: MARSHALLTOWN, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,086 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: 90° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Temperature: 136 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820906043689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820906043689A), Sep 6, 1982: Piper PA28236, Liscomb, IA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Wreckage indicates loss off control, weather IMC. No weather brief. No record of proficiency check. Alcohol in blood

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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