# NTSB MKC83FA127: Piper PA-32-260, N5509V, Newton, IA, June 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1983, 00:00 local (05:00 UTC)
- Place: Newton, IA
- Coordinates: 41.690563, -93.040283 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6906&lon=-93.0403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA127

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, 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 NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT TOOK OFF ON A X-COUNTRY FLT AT NIGHT. WHEN ADVISED OF WX ALONG HIS ROUTE, HE REQUESTED & RECIEVED RADAR ADVISORIES. A SHORT TIME LATER, HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS IN A STORM. FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, THE RADAR CONTROLLER WAS COMMUNICATING WITH THE PLT WHILE PROVIDING ASSISTANCE. DURING THAT TIME, THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS IN TERRIBLE WX CONDITIONS & HAD ENCOUNTERED BAD TURBULENCE. THE PASSENGER THEN BEGAN TO TALK ON THE RADIO FOR THE PLT. HE REPORTED THAT THEY WERE 'IN TROUBLE, IN BIG TROUBLE' & THAT THEY WERE TRYING TO FLY STRAIGHT & LEVEL. THE PASSENGER'S LAST TRANSMISSION WAS: 'WE'RE 2000 GOING UP & DOWN, WE'RE GOING DOWN.' A FARMER WAS AWAKEN BY THE ACFT CIRCLING HIS HOUSE. HE HEARD THE ACFT CLIMBING & DIVING BEFORE IT CRASHED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT IMPACTED RISING GROUND IN AN AREA OF ROLLING TERRAIN. THE WITNESS SAID THE WIND WAS BLOWING & RAIN WAS FALLING. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5509V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5509V-1984-05-17), registration cancelled 1984-05-17, S/N 327700016 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7700016
- Airframe hours: 886
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward L. Liblin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1982, 80 hours before
- Departed: DSM, DES MOINES, IA
- Destination: FFL, FAIRFIELD, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 30 nm away

## 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 19830612024749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830612024749A), Jun 12, 1983: Piper PA32260, Newton, IA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot continued into deteriorating weather and thunderstorms resulting in crash into hill.

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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