# NTSB MKC90LA040: Piper PA-32-301, N8157R, Norfolk, NE, December 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1989, 19:45 local (Dec 29, 1989, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Norfolk, NE
- Coordinates: 42.030406, -97.410469 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0304&lon=-97.4105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34920
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34920/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA040

## Probable cause

INPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS DELAY IN DIVERTING TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT, AND DARK NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT ENCTRD HEADWINDS, BUT HE THOUGHT HE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL FOR THE FLT.  HOWEVER, DURING A VOR APCH TO LAND AT NIGHT, HE ENCTRD LOW CLOUDS & WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE AIRPORT AT THE MISSED APCH POINT (MAP). HE EXECUTED A MISSED APCH & CONTACTED MINNEAPOLIS CENTER 'FOR ALTERNATE AIRPORT WITH ILS OR KNOWN VFR CONDITIONS DUE TO FUEL CONCERN.'  VECTORS WERE PROVIDED, BUT HIS FUEL WAS EXHAUSTED BEFORE REACHING A SUITABLE AIRPORT. SUBSEQUENTLY, AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN A CATTLE FEED LOT. BEFORE STOPPING, THE ACFT HIT A FEED TROUGH & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8157R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8157R-2013-08-23), registration cancelled 2013-08-23, S/N 32-8006006, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (registry code 7103207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8006066
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dewey, Arland R.
- Departed: RFD, ROCKFORD, IL
- Destination: ONL, NORFOLK, NE
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 273 total, 9 in this make and model, 270 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OFK, 1 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 19891228057289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891228057289A), Dec 28, 1989: Piper PA32301, Norfolk, NE, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel at night while proceeding to IFR alternate. Crashed into a feed lot. Failed to have fuel reserve.

## Other investigations on N8157R (1)

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 CHI81FER26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FER26), Mar 10, 1981: Piper PA-32 (N8157R), Faribault, MN, 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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