# NTSB MKC83FA045: Piper PA-31-350, N4091U, Dubuque, IA, December 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 24, 1982, 20:30 local (Dec 25, 1982, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Dubuque, IA
- Coordinates: 42.500961, -90.689636 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5010&lon=-90.6896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 24, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70514
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70514/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA045

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - below, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AT 2015 THE FLT CONTACTED ARTCC & REQUESTED DUBUQUE WX. THEY WERE ADVISED THAT DUBUQUE WAS 500 FT INDEFINITE CEILING, SKY OBSCURED, VISIBILITY 1/2 MI FOG & THEY WOULD BE VECTORED FOR A BACK COURSE RWY 13 APCH. THE FLT THEN REQUESTED THE FRONT COURSE APCH TO RWY 31 & THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE FLT THAT IT WOULD BE VECTORED TO THE ILS FRONT COURSE APPROACH TO RWY 31. APPROXIMATELY 40 SECS LATER THE FLT ADVISED THE CONTROLLER THAT IT WOULD TAKE THE BACK COURSE APCH TO RWY 13.THE LANDING MINIMA FOR A STRAIGHT-IN ILS RWY 31 IS 1/2 MILE VISIBILITY & FOR A STRAIGHT-IN LOC/DME BACK COURSE APCH TO RWY 13 3/4 MILE VISIBILITY. THE ACFT'S WRECKAGE WAS FOUND IN A VALLEY ABOUT 3/4 MILE SHORT OF RWY 13 & APPROXIMATELY 100 FT BELOW THE RWY ELEVATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4091U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4091U-1991-09-19), registration cancelled 1991-09-19, S/N 318152159 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 318152159
- Airframe hours: 2548
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: American Central Airlines
- Registered owner: American Central Airlines
- Departed: C, DES MOINES, IA
- Destination: C, DUBUQUE, IA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DBQ, runway 13, 6,498 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,230 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Temperature: 126 °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 19821224065099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821224065099A), Dec 24, 1982: Piper PA31350, Dubuque, IA, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed 3/4 mile short of runway during back course instrument approach.

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.