# NTSB MKC86LA032: Piper PA-31-350, N4NP, Topeka, KS, December 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1985, 13:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Topeka, KS
- Location: 39.0688° N, 95.6224° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PHILIP BILLARD MUNI (TOP), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0688&lon=-95.6224&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34115
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34115/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA032

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

N4NP DIVERTED FROM THE ORIGINAL DESTINATION FORBES FIELD TOPEKA,KANSAS TO BILLARD FIELD,B NM AWAY, DUE TO WEATHER. BILLARD ATCT ADVISED THE FLIGHT DURING INITIAL CONTACT, BEFORE N4NP REACHED THE ILS FOF, OF THE RUNWAY BRAKING ACTION. THE PILOT SAID BRAKING WAS REPORTED AS NIL. THE ATCT ALSO ADVISED THE FLIGHT, ALONG WITH THEIR LANDING CLEARANCE, THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 360 DEGREES AT 17 KNOTS AND TOWER VISIBILITY WAS 5/8 OF A MILE. THE CONTROLLER STATED THAT N4NP LANDED LONG AND RAN OFF THE SIDE OF RUNWAY 13 NEAR THE DEPARTURE END. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED SOFT TERRAIN BESIDE THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4NP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4NP-1990-03-08), registration cancelled 1990-03-08, S/N 317305083 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7305083
- Airframe hours: 5996
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Tri Star Transportation
- Registered owner: John Larkin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 1985, 40 hours before
- Departed: ICT, WICHITA, KS
- Destination: FOE, TOPEKA, KS
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TOP, Phillip Billard, runway 13, 5,099 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,705 total, 18 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 11 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOP

## 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 19851210065979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851210065979A), Dec 10, 1985: Piper PA31350, Topeka, KS, Substantial damage. Landed long after downwind ILS approach to icy runway. Departed runway side near deparature end. Gear collapsed.

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.