# NTSB MKC84FA092: Piper PA-28-236, N8054E, Oconto, NE, March 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1984, 02:45 local (08:45 UTC)
- Place: Oconto, NE
- Coordinates: 41.139789, -99.75901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1398&lon=-99.7590&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): 33517
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33517/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA092

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - 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

AFTER ATTENDING A BUSINESS CONFERENCE AT MUNCIE, IN, THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING & TOOK OFF AT 2026 CST ON A FLT TO DES MOINES, IA, WHERE HE REFUELED. IN A PHONE CALL TO HIS WIFE AT THEIR HOME IN NORTH PLATTE, NE, HE INDICATED THE WX WAS SUCH THAT HE WOULD SPEND THE NIGHT AT DES MOINES. HOWEVER, AFTER CALLS TO THE FSS, HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE TO LINCOLN, NE. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT REQUESTED THE GRAND ISLAND & NORTH PLATTE WX & WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WERE 25000 FT THIN BROKEN WITH UNRESTRICTED VISIBILITY.AT 0121 CST, HE EXTENDED HIS FLT PLAN TO PROCEED TO NORTH PLATTE. HE CONTINUED CHECKING ON THE CURRENT NORTH PLATTE WX. AT APRX 0218 CST, HE WAS ADVISED IT HAD DETERIORATED(CEILING 700 FT). A SHORT TIME LATER, THE CEILING DROPPED TO 600 FT OVERCAST. THE PLT DIVERTED TOWARD KEARNEY, NE, BUT THE ACFT DID NOT ARRIVE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT IT HAD CRASHED IN A LEFT WING LOW, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT HAD NOT OBTAINED AN IN-DEPTH WX BRIEFING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8054E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8054E-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 28-8211024, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 288211024
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary G. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1983
- Departed: DSM, DES MOINES, IA
- Destination: EAR, KEARNEY, NE
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBF, 32 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 19840303057629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840303057629A), Mar 3, 1984: Piper PA28236, Oconto, NE, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Undercast en route. Reversed course. Lost control and crashed. Fss did not advise adverse weather trend.

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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