# NTSB MKC82FCJ04: Piper PA-36, N57738, North Platte, NE, July 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1982, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: North Platte, NE
- Coordinates: 41.130153, -100.770492 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1302&lon=-100.7705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72046
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC82FCJ04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72046/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82FCJ04

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,partial
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY DURING TAKEOFF ON A PLANNED AGRICULTURAL FLIGHT. AFTER DEPARTING THE RUNWAY, IT CONTINUED FOR A DISTANCE THROUGH UNCUT WHEAT UNTIL IT CONTACTED A SHALLOW WASHOUT AND SMALL BANK, THEN FLIPPED OVER. THERE WERE NO KNOWN WITNESSES. AN INVESTIGAITON REVEALED THERE WAS FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS. ONE PROPELLER BLADE WAS BENT UNDER THE ENGINE WITH LIGHT SCRATCHES PARRELLING THE FRONT OF THE BLADE. THE OTHER TWO BLADES WERE INTACT, NOT BENT, AND WITH NO SCRATCHES EVIDENT. THE MAGNETO AND BATTERY SWITCHES WERE ON. THE THROTTLE WAS ABOUT 1/4 OPEN, THE MIXTURE WAS RICH, AND THE PROPELLER CONTROL WAS FULL FORWARD. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT MAGNETO POINTS WERE DWELLED CLOSED AND WOULD NOT OPEN, THE POINTS WERE BURNED AND CORRODED. THE TEARDOWN REVEALED NO OTHER DISCREPANCIES. WHEAT STRAW WAS EVIDENT ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUTS AND TAILWHEEL SPRING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57738](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57738), registered now, S/N 36-7660054, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 6-285-A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-6-285-a) (registry code 17038, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 367660054
- Airframe hours: 1213
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1B 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Aerial Ag., Inc.
- Registered owner: Aerial Ag., Inc.
- Departed: NORTH PLATTE, NE
- Destination: NORTH PLATTE, NE
- Airport: runway 13, 3,200 × 0 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 15,646 total, 320 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 169 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19820709038829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820709038829A), Jul 9, 1982: Piper PA36285, North Platte, NE, Substantial damage. Struck a ditch off end of runway on takeoff. Flipped over. No mechanical defects. Load density altitude a question.

## Other investigations on N57738 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC78DCG44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78DCG44), Jul 4, 1978: Piper PA-36 (N57738), Bolckow, MO, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.