# NTSB MKC86FA195: Piper PA-28-180, N7744N, Harvard, NE, September 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1986, 00:30 local (05:30 UTC)
- Place: Harvard, NE
- Coordinates: 40.610382, -98.089691 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6104&lon=-98.0897&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): 34078
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34078/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA195

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING FOR A NIGHT, BUSINESS FLT. AT THE TIME OF THE BRIEFING A REPORTING STATION 22 NM NW OF THE ACDT SITE HAD A BROKEN CEILING AT 2300 FT WITH GOOD VIS. THE ACDT OCCURRED ABOUT 2 HRS AFTER THE BRIEFING LESS THAN 2 MI FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. AT THAT TIME THE REPORTING STATION HAD A BROKEN CEILING AT 1000 FT. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACDT BUT RESIDENTS OF THE NEARBY TOWN SAID IT WAS A DARK, CLOUDY NIGHT WITH GOOD VIS. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT CRASHED IN A STEEP LEFT BANK, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE INVESTIGATION DID REVEAL THAT THE PLT AND PASSENGER HAD WORKED A NORMAL DAY AT THEIR HEARING AID BUSINESS AND ATTENDED A CHURCH MEETING UNTIL ABOUT 2300. THEY ALSO HAD A BUSINESS MEETING SCHEDULED IN OGALLALA THE NEXT MORNING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7744N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7744N-1989-01-11), registration cancelled 1989-01-11, S/N 285187 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-5185
- Airframe hours: 4134
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Blue River Airways, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1986, 23 hours before
- Destination: OGALLALA, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 65 total, 15 in this make and model, 37 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRI, 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 19860924046199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860924046199A), Sep 24, 1986: Piper PA28180, Harvard, NE, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The plane impacted the ground out of control. Suspect the fatigued VFR pilot became disoriented. Weather a factor.

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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