# NTSB MKC83LA169: Piper PA-38, N25087, North Platte, NE, July 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1983, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: North Platte, NE
- Coordinates: 41.129093, -100.769569 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1291&lon=-100.7696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33453
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33453/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA169

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD BEEN FLYING FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR IN THE LOCAL AREA AND WAS RETURNING FROM THE PRACTICE AREA AT 1100 FEET AGL. IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING HE ADVANCED THE MIXTURE TO FULL RICH AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE TRIED EMERG PROCEDURES BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MOVED THE THROTTLE AND THE MIXTURE BACK AND FORTH AND SWITCHED FUEL TANKS, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. HE MADE A LEFT TURN AND LANDED IN A CORNFIELD. THE OWNER OF THE ACFT EXAMINED THE ENGINE BUT DID NOT FIND EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED ENGINE FAILURE. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE SURFACE TEMP WAS 78F AND THE DEW POINT WAS 63F. ACCORDING TO THE CARBURATOR ICING PROBABILITY CHART, THAT COMBINATION OF TEMP/DEW POINT IS CONDUCIVE TO MODERATE CARBURETOR ICING AT CRUISE POWER AND SERIOUS ICING AT DESCENT POWER. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD NOT USED CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25087](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25087-1984-01-10), registration cancelled 1984-01-10, S/N 38-80A0027 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-80A0027
- Airframe hours: 1515
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Trego Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1983, 15 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LBF, Lee Bird, runway 17, 4,434 × 100 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 33 total, 33 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBF, 3 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 19830728037269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830728037269A), Jul 28, 1983: Piper PA38112, North Platte, NE, Substantial damage. Engine quit during descent for landing. Nosed over landing in a cornfield. Conditions conducive for carburetor ice.

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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