# NTSB MKC87FA169: Piper PA-24-260, N8975P, Kanorado, KS, August 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1987, 04:00 local (09:00 UTC)
- Place: Kanorado, KS
- Coordinates: 38.899459, -97.10968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8995&lon=-97.1097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34302
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34302/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA169

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FSS STATED THEY HAD PERSONALLY BRIEFED THE STUDENT PILOT ON THE WX EN ROUTE FOR THIS NIGHT FLIGHT AND TOLD HIM VFR WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. AT THE FIRST STOP, HE CALLED THE CO-OWNER OF THE AIRPLANE AND TOLD HER HE HAD BEEN FLYING AROUND STORMS. AT THE NEXT STOP, HE TOLD A POLICEMAN HE WAS LOST AND ASKED FOR DIRECTIONS. WHEN THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ARRIVE, A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. THE AIRPLANE HAD TOUCHED DOWN IN A CORNFIELD ON THE LEFT WINGTIP AND CARTWHEELED. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE WX 18NM EAST WAS PARTIAL OBSCURATION, MEASURED CEILING 100 FT. BROKEN, 1500 FT. OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 3 MILES IN FOG, TEMP. 57 DEGREES F, WINDS FROM 360 DEGREES AT 6 KTS, ALTIMETER 30.12 IN HG. NO RECORD OF THE PLTS FLT TIME COULD BE LOCATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8975P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8975P-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 24-4433 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (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: 244433
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ned J.Lynch
- Registered owner: James F Curley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 5C0, BURLINGTON, CO
- Destination: MCK, MC COOK, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLD, 18 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 19870826048339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870826048339A), Aug 26, 1987: Piper PA24260, Kanorado, KS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control of aircraft flying in adverse weather. Uncontrolled collision with the ground.

## Other investigations on N8975P (2)

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.

- [NTSB IAD73FIG27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD73FIG27), Jun 4, 1973: Piper PA-24 (N8975P), Baltimore, MD, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA68F0439](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68F0439), Mar 3, 1968: Piper PA-24 (N8975P), Hialeah, FL, substantial damage

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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