# NTSB MKC83FA017: Grumman American GA-7, N715GA, Norfolk, NE, November 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1982, 23:40 local (Nov 9, 1982, 04:40 UTC)
- Place: Norfolk, NE
- Coordinates: 42.02983, -97.410041 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0298&lon=-97.4100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72026
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72026/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA017

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND CRASHED IN AN OPEN MEADOW DURING AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH AT NIGHT. THE PILOT SAID THE LANDING LIGHTS REFLECTED IN HIS EYES DURING APPROACH SO HE TURNED THEM OFF. THE PILOT FAILED TO OBTAIN THE LATEST WEATHER BEFORE HIS APPROACH. THE WEATHER WAS BELOW MINIMUMS FOR THE APPROACH. HE DESCENDED BELOW HIS MDA AND WAS CLIMBING BACK TO MDA WHEN COLLISION OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N715GA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N715GA-1983-04-04), registration cancelled 1983-04-04, S/N GA7-0015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN GA-7
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. GA-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-ga-7) (registry code 3960401) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: GA-0015
- Airframe hours: 1326
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D1D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Mid-Plains Flight, Corp.
- Registered owner: Marlin E. Tusha
- Departed: LNK, LINCOLN, NE
- Destination: YGK, KINGSTON
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OFK, Karl Stefan Mem'L., runway 31, 5,820 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,927 total, 196 in this make and model, 1,786 as pilot in command, 193 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 99 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OFK

## 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 19821108070299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821108070299A), Nov 8, 1982: Gulstm GA7, Norfolk, NE, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees on a VOR approach. Crashed and burned. Pilot descended below moa. Weather below approach minimums.

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.