# NTSB MKC86FA088: Piper PA-31, N6700L, Norfolk, NE, April 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1986, 10:13 local (16:13 UTC)
- Place: Norfolk, NE
- Coordinates: 42.030101, -97.409095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0301&lon=-97.4091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34064
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34064/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA088

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED ON RUNWAY 31 WITH A LOW CEILING AND VISIBILITY VARIABLE FROM 1/4 MILE TO 1/16 MILE AND WINDS FROM 290 DEGREES AT 38 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 47 KNOTS. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS AIRBORNE NO MORE THAN TWO MINUTES AFTER THE ENGINES WERE STARTED. THE AIRPLANE WAS HEARD AND OBSERVED 1/4 OF A MILE NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT AT LOW ALTITUDE. IT CLIMBED INTO THE CLOUDS AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN AN ALMOST FLAT ATTITUDE, 1/8 OF A MILE BEYOND AND WAS DEMOLISHED BY IMPACT AND POST-IMPACT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6700L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6700L-1988-10-06), registration cancelled 1988-10-06, S/N 31105 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 105
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-54O J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Hy Plains Dressed Beef Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1985
- Destination: MLE, OMAHA, NE
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OFK, Karl Stefan Memorial, runway 31, 5,800 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; 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: 5,980 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 38 knots, gusting 47
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OFK

## 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 19860414011699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860414011699A), Apr 14, 1986: Piper STCPA31, Norfolk, NE, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Lost control after takeoff into low IFR conditions. Impacted ground and burned. Suspect gyro not spooled up.

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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