# NTSB MKC85FA217: Piper PA-28-181, N8262U, What Cheer, IA, September 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1985, 19:40 local (Sep 16, 1985, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: What Cheer, IA
- Coordinates: 41.40084, -92.349838 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4008&lon=-92.3498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA217

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - physiological condition, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - conflicting, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - descent - premature, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING THROUGH THE TOP OF A TREE, THEN THROUGH A FOUR STRAND HIGH VOLTAGE PWR LINE. FINAL IMPACT WAS RELATIVELY FLAT IN A SOY-BEAN FIELD. THE PLT LATER STATED THAT HE HAD BECOME DISORIENTED IN FLT AND HALLUCINATED THAT HE WAS IN A PIPER J-3 ACFT INSTEAD OF A PIPER ARCHER. HE SAID HE MUST HAVE LOST CONTROL AS HE REMEMBERED NOTHING MORE UNTIL HE FELT THE ACFT CRASHING. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES FLYING THRU THE TOPS OF SOME SMALL TREES AND CONTINUING ON THRU A SMALL PWR LINE BEFORE MAKING A 'PAN-CAKE' LANDING IN AN OPEN SOYBEAN FLD WHERE IT SLID ON IT'S BELLY FOR 120 FT BEFORE STOPPING. THE ACFT WAS RELATIVELY INTACT AND THE ENG RAN WHEN TESTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE BATTERY HAD COME LOOSE FROM IT'S MOUNTING BOX IN THE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT AND ENDED UP IN THE RIGHT FRONT COCKPIT ON THE FLOOR. THE PLT WAS FOUND WALKING OUTSIDE THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HE HAD A SPRAINED ANKLE AND LACERATIONS ON HIS HEAD. THE PLT ALSO HAD A HISTORY OF MEDICAL PROBLEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8262U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8262U), registered now, S/N 28-8190036, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 28-8190036
- Airframe hours: 2014
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Iowa City Flying Service
- Registered owner: Roger L. Borup
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 1985, 28 hours before
- Departed: DSM, DES MOINES, IA
- Destination: IOW, IOWA CITY, IA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 157 total, 127 in this make and model, 83 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OTM, 23 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 19850915047769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850915047769A), Sep 15, 1985: Piper PA28181, What Cheer, IA, Substantial damage. Became disoriented and hallucinated. Aircraft struck trees. Had past medical problems. Hypoglycemia possible.

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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