# NTSB MKC86FA181: Piper PA-28-140, N4233J, Elkhart, KS, August 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1986, 08:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Elkhart, KS
- Coordinates: 36.999252, -101.890899 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9993&lon=-101.8909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34076
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34076/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA181

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT INTENDED TO FLY FROM HIS HOME ARPT TO A NEARBY ARPT WHERE HE WAS RECEIVING FLT INSTRUCTION. NO RECORD OF A WX BRIEFING WAS FOUND. LOCAL AUTHORITIES SAID THERE WERE LOW CLOUDS AND FOG IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. NO ONE SAW THE ACFT TAKEOFF BUT THE PLT WAS SEEN IN LOCAL RESTAURANT A SHORT TIME BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE ABOUT 100 FT FROM TWO RESIDENCES. AN OCCUPANT OF ONE OF THE RESIDENCES SAW THE ACFT CRASH AND SAID IT WAS DESCENDING NEARLY VERTICAL JUST BEFORE IMPACT. HE ALSO SAID THE ENG NOISE INCREASED JUST BEFORE IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4233J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4233J-1988-07-12), registration cancelled 1988-07-12, S/N 2822584 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-22584
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: C. D. James Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1985
- Destination: LIBERAL, KS
- Airport: EHA, Elkhart

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F

## 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 19860831043139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860831043139A), Aug 31, 1986: Piper PA28140, Elkhart, KS, Destroyed. The aircraft impacted terrain after takeoff. Suspect student pilot lost control in IFR weather 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.

---
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.