# NTSB MKC85FA213: Piper PA-28-180, N15970, Hoskins, NE, September 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1985, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Hoskins, NE
- Coordinates: 42.110988, -97.299644 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1110&lon=-97.2996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33855
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33855/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA213

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON A TELEPHONE CABLE PATRL FLT. THE ACFT WOULD NORMALLY FLY ALONG THE ROUTE OF THE BURIED CABLE AT 200 TO 300 FT AGL. WHEN CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY WAS SIGHTED THE PLT WOULD FIRST RECORD THE SIGHTING ON A PORTABLE TAPE RECORDER AND THEN CALL THE TELEPHONE COMPANY ON A RADIO/TELEPHONE. THE CONTROL HEAD FOR THE RADIO/TELEPHONE OCCUPIED THE PLACE OF THE REMOVED RIGHT, REAR SEAT. WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT CIRCLED TWICE IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT SITE BEFORE THE CRASH. THEY SIAD THERE WERE LOW CLOUDS WITH HAZE BUT GOOD VISIBILITY BELOW THE CLOUDS. THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A SHALLOW LEFT BANK IN A SLIGHTLY NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. A MESSAGE ON A TAPE RECORDER FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE DESCRIBED CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY NEAR THE CABLE IN AN AREA ONE MI W OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. TELEPHONE COMPANY PERSONNEL SAID THAT THEY DID NOT RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE PLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15970](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15970-2012-08-08), registration cancelled 2012-08-08, S/N 28-7305202, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7305202
- Airframe hours: 5446
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gloria & Jay Pouzar
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1985, 103 hours before
- Departed: ONL, O'NEILL, NE
- Destination: SUX, SIOUX CITY, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,677 total, 273 in this make and model, 2,518 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OFK, 12 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 19850911044199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850911044199A), Sep 11, 1985: Piper PA28180, Hoskins, NE, Destroyed. Impacted ground in left bank and slightly nose low attitude. No mechanical malfunctions found.

## Other investigations on N15970 (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 MKC82DA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC82DA121), Jul 13, 1982: Piper PA-28-180 (N15970), Lawrence, KS, 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.

---
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.