# NTSB MKC84FA131: Piper PA-28-180, N3761R, Sheldon, IA, May 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1984, 10:51 local (15:51 UTC)
- Place: Sheldon, IA
- Coordinates: 43.170715, -95.84024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1707&lon=-95.8402&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): 33526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33526/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA131

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - hazardous weather advisory - issued, atc personnel(fss)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 1015 CDT, WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT RADIOED A FSS & REQUESTED THE KANSAS CITY WX. VMC CONDITIONS WERE REPORTED AT KANSAS CITY, BUT THE PLT WAS INFORMED OF AN AIRMET, WHICH PROVIDE A CAUTION OF LOW CEILINGS & REDUCE VISIBILITIES ACROSS HIS ROUTE OF FLT. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THE REPORT & CONTINUED HIS FLT TOWARD KANSAS CITY. AT ABOUT 1051 CDT, GROUND WITNESSES HEARD A SNAP OR BOOM NOISE WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A HIGH PITCH SOUND OF THE ACFT'S ENG. THEY THEN OBSERVED THE ACFT SPIN OR ROLL OUT OF THE OVERCAST SKY AT AN ESTIMATED 1500 TO 2000 FT AGL. THEY SAID THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SPIN OR ROLL UNTIL IMPACTING THE GROUND. THE WITNESSES ALSO REPORTED LIGHT RAIN WAS FALLING. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT BOTH OUTER WING PANELS HAD SEPARATED IN FLT. THEY WERE LOCATED 3116 & 2376 FT FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT HAD ONLY 5 HRS OF SIMULATED INSTRUMENT TIME. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A PREFLT WX BRIEFING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3761R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-5816
- Airframe hours: 3325
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert D. Stamp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1984, 3 hours before
- Departed: DXX, MADISON, MN
- Destination: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 637 total, 201 in this make and model, 574 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPW, 31 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 19840504015719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840504015719A), May 4, 1984: Piper PA28180, Sheldon, IA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed to dive out of the clouds. Recovered losing wing outer panels with a loud boom then spun into the ground.

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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