# NTSB MKC87FA020: Cessna 182A, N2038G, Bluff City, KS, November 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1986, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Bluff City, KS
- Coordinates: 37.069412, -97.870445 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0694&lon=-97.8704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34271
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34271/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA020

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - ifr procedure - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - descent - not identified, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, other
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose over, other
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,seat belt - disconnected

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS CRUISING AT 2,500 FT MSL EN ROUTE SOUTHBOUND TO ENID, OKLAHOMA, WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED FOG BUT FLEW FOR 15 TO 20 MINUTES BEFORE EXECUTING A 180DEG NORTHERLY TURN BACK TO HUTCHINSON, KS. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE WAS IN THE CLOUDS TRYING TO FLY OUT OF IFR CONDITIONS WHEN THE ACFT FLEW INTO THE GROUND AND HE LOST CONCIOUSNESS. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RECORDS SHOW FORECASTS, VALID FOR APRX THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, CALLING FOR IMC AND MARGINAL VMC THROUGHOUT OKLAHOMA AND SOUTHERN KANSAS. THE PLT FURTHER STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NO WEATHER BRIEFING AND FILED NO FLIGHT PLAN. POST ACCIDENT CALCULATIONS REVEAL THAT THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A SHALLOW DESCENT NEAR CRUISE POWER. IT PORPOISED AND WHEELBARROWED BEFORE DIGGING IN THE SOFT DIRT. THE NOSE GEAR SHEARED OFF AND THE ACFT FLIPPED INVERTED, SHEDDING IT'S RIGHT CABIN DOOR AND EJECTING THE PLT RATED PASSENGER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2038G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2038G-1991-03-28), registration cancelled 1991-03-28, S/N 51338 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51338
- Airframe hours: 4741
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hubert E. Morgan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 1985, 52 hours before
- Departed: HUT, HUTCHINSON, KS
- Destination: WDG, ENID, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 80; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,250 total, 900 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: END, 41 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 19861117056089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861117056089A), Nov 17, 1986: Cessna 182A, Bluff City, KS, Destroyed. Aircraft flew into ground. VFR pilot attempted flight in IFR conditions. Pilot had been using amphetamines.

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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