# NTSB MKC86FA008: Piper PA-24, N9758K, Salina, KS, October 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1985, 09:05 local (14:05 UTC)
- Place: Salina, KS
- Coordinates: 38.810726, -97.610595 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8107&lon=-97.6106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34044
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34044/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA008

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,wing attachment fitting - overload (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTING THE AIRPORT UNDER VERY POOR IFR WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PLT RPT AUTOPILOT PROBLEMS OF AN UNSPECIFIED NATURE. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY REPORTS OF INSTRUMENT TROUBLES.RADAR CONTROLLERS GAVE THE PLT A NO-GYRO TURN TO THE LEFT. AFTER THE INSTRUCTIONS WERE ISSUED THE ACFT DISAPPEARED OFF RADAR. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DID NOT REVEAL ANY MALFUNCTION OF CONTROLS. THE SEPARATED WING DID NOT EXHIBIT ANY PRE-EXISTANT CRACKS AND WAS FOUND LYING INVERTED IN THE FIELD 50 FEET FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. WITNESSES HEARD THE ACFT FLY OVERHEAD AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE AND THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE RUNNING AT FULL POWER. THEY ALSO HEARD THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND JUST A VERY SHORT TIME AFTER THE ACFT FLEW OVERHEAD. NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTY WAS FOUND TO ACCOUNT FOR THE LOSS OF CONTROL. VACUUM SYSTEM EXAMINATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY PRIOR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9758K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7890177
- Airframe hours: 2991
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sun Bird Aviation
- Registered owner: George F. Shroyer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 29, 1985
- Departed: SLN, SALINA, KS
- Destination: LBF, NORTHPLATTE, NE
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,020 total, 1,005 in this make and model, 916 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLN, 3 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 19851011051229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851011051229A), Oct 11, 1985: Piper PA28181, Salina, KS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. After first no gyro, turn back to airport, control was lost. Aircraft spun to ground in IFR conditions.

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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