# NTSB MKC85LA208: Piper PA-28-181, N9557K, Oxford, IA, September 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1985, 20:15 local (Sep 7, 1985, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Oxford, IA
- Coordinates: 41.7191, -91.779037 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7191&lon=-91.7790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34027
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34027/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA208

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENG QUIT ABRUPTLY WHILE THE ACFT WAS CRUISING AT 3,500 FEET. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH STANDING CORN DURING THE NIGHT FORCED LANDING. AFTER THE ACDT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND ON THE LT FUEL TANK, THE LT TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE RT FUEL TANK WAS FULL. THE PLT SAID BOTH TANKS WERE FULL BEFORE TAKEOFF AND THE MIXTURE WAS AT FULL RICH DURING THE ENTIRE 1 HR, 50 MIN FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9557K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9557K), registered now, S/N 28-7690260, built 1976 (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: 28-769026
- Airframe hours: 2730
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aerodrome, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 1985, 34 hours before
- Departed: MKT, MANKATO, MN
- Destination: IOW, IOWA CITY, IA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 307 total, 13 in this make and model, 168 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IOW, 7 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 19850906048359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850906048359A), Sep 6, 1985: Piper PA28181, Oxford, IA, Substantial damage. Engine quit at cruise. ATC vectors to airport in dark. Landed beside airport in corn field. Selector on empty tank.

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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