# NTSB MKC87FA106: Piper PA-28R-180, N4982J, Sioux City, IA, May 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1987, 02:38 local (07:38 UTC)
- Place: Sioux City, IA
- Coordinates: 42.499622, -96.39022 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4996&lon=-96.3902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34292
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34292/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA106

## 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
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fss service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PIC HAD TELEPHONED THE FSS AT HURON, S.D. FOR ENR WX TO SIOUX CITY, IA, FM SIOUX FALLS, S.D., LATE THE EVENING OF MAY 20. THE FCST INDICATED IFR FLT COND'S WITH INTERMITTENT TRSMS ALONG THE RTE THROUGHOUT THE FCST PERIOD. THE PIC DPTD SIOUX FALLS, S.D. AT AN UNK TIME, AND ARR AT SIOUX CITY, IA TO RENDEZVOUS WITH HIS PAX. A SEARCH WAS CONDUCTED OF OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION RECORDS TO ASCERTAIN, IF THE PIC HAD SOUGHT ADD'L WX OBS BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE FM SIOUX CITY, IA. THE SEARCH LOCATED NO SUCH COMMUNICATIONS. WX COND'S AROUND THE TIME OF THE ACC WERE CONSIDERED IMC WITH LT RAIN. THE PIC WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED OR EXPERIENCED IN IFR FLT, AND THE DEPARTURE WAS AT NIGHT. THE ACFT IMPACTED LEVEL TERRAIN ABOUT 3 MI NORTHEAST OF THE ARPT IN AN OPEN FLD NEAR AN AREA OF BLUFFS. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY PRE-IMPACT MALF OF ENG OR FLT CONTROLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4982J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4982J-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 28R-30735, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R30735
- Airframe hours: 4429
- Engines: LYCOMING I0360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark Juhl & Tom Kontz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1986, 230 hours before
- Departed: SUX, SIOUX CITY, IA
- Destination: Y14, SIOUX FALLS, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 227 total, 179 in this make and model, 171 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUX, 3 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 19870521015949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870521015949A), May 21, 1987: Piper PA28R180, Sioux City, IA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost control on a night departure into IFR weather. Pilot not IFR rated. Damage indicates rotation on impact.

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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