# NTSB MKC83FA023: Piper PA-28-140, N500FL, Sharon, KS, November 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1982, 19:00 local (Nov 18, 1982, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Sharon, KS
- Coordinates: 37.249526, -98.410942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2495&lon=-98.4109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72604
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72604/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA023

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED 12 MI FROM THE DEPARTURE POINT IN HILLY TERRAIN ON A DIRECT ROUTE TO THE DESTINATION IN A 40 DEG NOSE LOW & 75 DEG RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE. THERE ARE NO WX REPORTING FACILITIES NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE 1851 WX OBSERVATION AT ENID,OK (62 MI SE) WAS 1600 FT BROKEN & 5 MI IN FOG. THE 1931 WX OBSERVATION AT WICHITA, KS (52 MI NE) WAS 900 FT BROKEN & 6 MI IN FOG. THE OTHER PILOT HAD A STUDENT CERTIFICATE & WAS PRESIDENT OF THE FLYING CLUB THAT OPERATED THE ACFT. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE FOUND OUTSIDE OF THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N500FL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N500FL-2012-12-10), registration cancelled 2012-12-10, S/N 28-7125319, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7125319
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Affluent Flyers
- Registered owner: Affluent Flyers
- Departed: C, MEDICINE LODGE, KS
- Destination: C, WICHITA, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 500 total, 44 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Temperature: 41 °F

## 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 19821117060889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821117060889A), Nov 17, 1982: Piper PA28140, Sharon, KS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Damage and angle of descent indicates pilot lost control on night flight possibly due to clouds and darkness.

## Other investigations on N500FL (2)

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 MKC76FCG58](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FCG58), Mar 18, 1976: Piper PA-28 (N500FL), Leawood, KS, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC73DCG43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73DCG43), Jun 9, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N500FL), Stover, 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.

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