# NTSB MKC84FA229: Piper PA 36-375, N3930E, Bertrand, NE, July 23, 1984 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 23, 1984, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Bertrand, NE - Coordinates: 40.523935, -99.633688 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5239&lon=-99.6337&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 33541 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA229 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33541/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA229 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, maneuvering - aerial application - crew/group briefing - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - crew/group coordination - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - radio communications - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual separation - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual separation - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - Midair collision, maneuvering - aerial application - crew/group briefing - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - crew/group coordination - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - radio communications - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual separation - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual separation - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis (aircraft 2) N3930E AND N3968E HAD DEPARTED AS A FLIGHT OF TWO FOR AERIAL APPLICATION. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF PREFLIGHT BRIEFING OR COORDINATION PLANNING. AT COMPLETION OF OPERATIONS ON THE OBJECT FIELD, N3930E ADVISED N3968E BY RADIO THAT HE WAS MAKING A FINAL CLEANUP SWATH RUN TOWARD THE NORTH ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF THE FIELD. DURING THIS SWATH RUN, HE OBSERVED N3968E HEADED SOUTHBOUND AND TO THE EAST OF HIS POSITION. ON COMPLETION, N3930E PULLED UP, TURNED RIGHT AND BEGAN A DESCENT TO MAKE AN EASTBOUND CLEANUP RUN ALONG THE NORTH BOUNDARY (NO RADIO ADVISORY). THE TWO ACFT COLLIDED HEAD-ON, LEFT WING TO LEFT WING, SEPARATING THE LEFT OUTBOARD WING PANELS. BOTH ROLLED LEFT INTO SUBSEQUENT UNCONTROLLED COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) N3930E AND N3968E HAD DEPARTED AS A FLIGHT OF TWO FOR AERIAL APPLICATION. THERE AS NO RECORD OF PREFLIGHT BRIEFING OR COORDINATION PLANNING. AT COMPLETION OF OPERATIONS ON THE OBJECT FIELD, N3930E ADVISED N3968E BY RADIO THAT HE WAS MAKING A FINAL CLEANUP SWATH RUN TOWARD THE NORTH ALONG THE WEST BOUNDARY OF THE FIELD. DURING THIS SWATH RUN, HE OBSERVED N3968E HEADED SOUTHBOUND AND TO THE EAST OF HIS POSITION. ON COMPLETION, N3930E PULLED UP, TURNED RIGHT AND BEGAN A DESCENT TO MAKE AN EASTBOUND CLEANUP RUN ALONG THE NORTH BOUNDARY (NO RADIO ADVISORY). THE TWO ACFT COLLIDED HEAD-ON, LEFT WING TO LEFT WING, SEPARATING THE LEFT OUTBOARD WING PANELS. BOTH ROLLED LEFT INTO SUBSEQUENT UNCONTROLLED COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N3930E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3930E-2000-10-31), registration cancelled 2000-10-31, S/N 36-8302023 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA 36-375 - Registry model: [Piper PA-36-375](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-375) (registry code 7103620) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 368302023 - Airframe hours: 73 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-D1C 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Ace Aero Spray Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1984, 16 hours before - Departed: BERTRAND, NE ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N3968E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3968E-2000-10-31), registration cancelled 2000-10-31, S/N 36-8302024 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-375 - Registry model: [Piper PA-36-375](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-375) (registry code 7103620) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 368302024 - Airframe hours: 73 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-D1C 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Ace Aero Spray Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1984, 15 hours before - Departed: BERTRAND, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N3930E; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,176 total, 53 in this make and model, 2,085 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N3968E; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,275 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EAR, 32 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19840723033751A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840723033751A), Jul 23, 1984: Piper PA36375, Bertrand, NE, Destroyed. Turned east for spraying run. Collided with company aircraft. Sun obscured vision. - [Accident 19840723033752A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840723033752A), Jul 23, 1984: Piper PA36375, Bertrand, NE, Destroyed. Collided with company aircraft when both on spraying run. 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.