# NTSB MKC83FA041: Piper PA-28-161, N2838V, Bancroft, IA, December 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1982, 19:30 local (Dec 20, 1982, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Bancroft, IA
- Coordinates: 43.290489, -94.209899 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2905&lon=-94.2099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69877
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69877/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA041

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - spiral - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR WINGS LEVEL, 20 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED.  WITNESSES STATEDTHAT THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR & VISIBILITY GOOD BUT IT WAS A VERY DARK NIGHT WITH ONLY A VERY SMALL PORTION OF THE MOON SHOWING. THE ONLY OUTSIDE LIGHT IN THE AREA OF THE ACCIDENT WAS ON A NEARBY FARM. THE PLT'S NIGHT FLYING TIME WAS REPORTED AS LIMITED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2838V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2838V-2014-09-25), registration cancelled 2014-09-25, S/N 28-7916466, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7916466
- Airframe hours: 700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elroy E. Hanson
- Registered owner: Ede Aire, Inc.
- Departed: DSM, DES MOINES, IA
- Destination: 1D1, MILBANK, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 466 total, 325 in this make and model, 466 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 86 °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 19821219065149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821219065149A), Dec 19, 1982: Piper PA28161, Bancroft, IA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft had crashed in a farm field at night. High speed near vertical imact. Alcohol registered in pilots 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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