# NTSB MKC87FA087: Piper PA-32-300, N44626, Ogden, IA, April 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1987, 22:21 local (Apr 22, 1987, 03:21 UTC)
- Place: Ogden, IA
- Coordinates: 42.030033, -94.020668 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0300&lon=-94.0207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34288
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34288/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA087

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED FOR IFR FLIGHT. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. THE PILOT HAD BEEN BRIEFED EARLIER THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE PILOT DID NOT UPDATE THE WEATHER FOR THIS FLIGHT. THE FRONT OF THE AIRPLANE WAS BURIED SEVEN FEET IN THE GROUND. AT IMPACT, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, THERE WAS ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE CIRCUITS AND THE ROTORS IN THE GYROS WERE OPERATING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44626](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44626-2014-10-09), registration cancelled 2014-10-09, S/N 32-7440163, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 327440163
- Airframe hours: 663
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540K15 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James C. Smith
- Registered owner: James C Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1986, 28 hours before
- Departed: AMW, AMES, IA
- Destination: CIN, CARROLL, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 198 total, 175 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 40 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 19870421010589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870421010589A), Apr 21, 1987: Piper PA32300, Ogden, IA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Pilot lost control of aircraft and crashed. Suspect VFR pilot became disoriented 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.

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