# NTSB MKC85FA089: Piper PA-24-260, N8852P, Wakeeney, KS, April 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1985, 21:52 local (Apr 26, 1985, 03:52 UTC)
- Place: Wakeeney, KS
- Coordinates: 39.019069, -99.869049 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0191&lon=-99.8690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33833
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33833/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA089

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

ON A X-COUNTRY FLT FROM DODGE CITY, KS, TO HILL CITY, KS, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED IFR WX CONDITIONS AROUND WAKEENEY, KS. THE IFR CONDITIONS WERE NOT FORECAST FOR HIS AREA OF FLT. A 2000 CST OBSERVATION AT HILL CITY, KS, WAS INDICATING IFR CONDITIONS EXISTING APRX 2 HRS PRIOR. HILL CITY, KS, IS 22 MI NORTH OF WAKEENEY, KS. THE PLT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY WX BRIEFING FOR CURRENT WX CONDITIONS AT CITY HALL OR THE SURROUNDING AREA OF FLT. NO RECORD OF THE PLT FILING A FLT PLAN FOR THE ROUTE OF FLT WAS RECEIVED. INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO IMPACT. WITNESSES HEARD THE ACFT FLY OVER JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT AND NOTED WX CONDITIONS AS VERY POOR AT THE TIME. THE ACFT IMPACTED TERRAIN HEADING EAST, APRX 2 1/2 MI NORTH OF THE WAKEENEY ARPT. NO PHYSICAL INCAPACITATION OF THE PLT WAS NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8852P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8852P-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 24-4308, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4308
- Airframe hours: 4745
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dodge City Farm & Industrial
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1984
- Departed: DOD, DODGE CITY, KS
- Destination: HLC, HILL CITY, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast

## 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 19850425016129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850425016129A), Apr 25, 1985: Piper PA24260, Wakeeney, KS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot descended into flat terrain at night in foggy IFR conditions. Destination airport not an IFR airport.

## Other investigations on N8852P (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA68D0282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68D0282), Apr 14, 1968: Piper PA-24 (N8852P), Vale, OR, substantial damage

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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