# NTSB MKC87FA092: Piper PA-28-181, N1145Q, Valley, NE, April 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1987, 20:20 local (Apr 26, 1987, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Valley, NE
- Coordinates: 41.310188, -96.339187 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3102&lon=-96.3392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34289
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34289/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA092

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

AT APRX 2020 CDT, WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT AS THE PLT MADE SVRL LOW PASSES OVER THE PLATTE RIVER NEAR VALLEY, NE. ON THE LAST PASS, THE ACFT STRUCK POWER LINES, THEN CRASHED IN THE RIVER. THE WRECKAGE CAME TO REST IN THE MAIN CHANNEL OF THE RIVER IN APRX 25 FT OF WATER. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE RGT WING & TOP OF THE ACFT HAD HIT THE POWER LINES. IF THE ACFT HAD BEEN APRX 2.5 FT LOWER, IT WOULD HAVE CLEARED BELOW THE CABLES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1145Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1145Q-1989-08-22), registration cancelled 1989-08-22, S/N 287790380 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7790380
- Airframe hours: 3452
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Proflight, Inc.
- Registered owner: George C. Claude
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1987, 50 hours before
- Departed: MLE, MILLARD, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 478 total, 342 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °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 19870425011319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870425011319A), Apr 25, 1987: Piper PA28181, Valley, NE, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The aircraft hit powerlines and impacted in a river. Witnesses reported several low passes.

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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