# NTSB MKC89DCJ01: Piper PA-17, N4691H, Omaha, NE, November 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1988, 08:42 local (14:42 UTC)
- Place: Omaha, NE
- Coordinates: 41.300544, -96.050109 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3005&lon=-96.0501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34654
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89DCJ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34654/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89DCJ01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE TAKEOFF AND CLIMB STEEPLY TO ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE THEN TURNED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PROBLEMS WITH EITHER ENGINE OR AIRFRAME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4691H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4691H-2012-11-27), registration cancelled 2012-11-27, S/N 17-89, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-17
- Registry model: [Piper PA-17](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-17) (registry code 7101702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17 - 89
- Airframe hours: 2225
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bonacci Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bonacci Flying Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1988, 63 hours before
- Airport: 3N0, North Omaha, runway 17, 2,480 × 40 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 355 total, 355 as pilot in command, 111 in the last 90 days, 66 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 14 °F, dew point 9 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OMA, 8 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 19881128051939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881128051939A), Nov 28, 1988: Piper PA17, Omaha, NE, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Apparently ran out of fuel on takeoff climb. Failed to lower aircrafts nose. Stalled and dived nose first to ground

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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