# NTSB MKC90LA092: Piper PA-22-150, N1680P, Eldora, IA, April 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1990, 22:10 local (Apr 21, 1990, 03:10 UTC)
- Place: Eldora, IA
- Coordinates: 42.359558, -93.099662 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3596&lon=-93.0997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA092

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS DURING THE APPROACH TO LAND.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE AIRCRAFT'S LOW FUEL LEVEL, DARKNESS, THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE WRONG AIRPORT/RUNWAY, THE RUNWAY LIGHTS NOT OPERATING, AND THE OBSTRUCTIONS (TRANSMISSION LINES).

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - initiated, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT CROSS-COUNTRY TRIP, THE PILOT NOTED THE FUEL LEVEL WAS GETTING LOW, SO HE ATTEMPTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AN UNLIGHTED TURF AIRPORT.  HE ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE RUNWAY LIGHTS BY USING THE ACFT'S TRANSMITTER, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL.  HE HAD SELECTED THE WRONG AIRPORT; SUBSEQUENTLY, HE WAS ALSO USING THE WRONG RADIO FREQUENCY FOR THAT AIRPORT.  DURING FINAL APPROACH TO WHERE HE THOUGHT THE AIRPORT WAS LOCATED, THE ACFT STRUCK POWER LINES, THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT AND TWO PSGRS SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES; THE ACFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1680P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1680P-2011-04-20), registration cancelled 2011-04-20, S/N 22-2466, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-2466
- Airframe hours: 2070
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Burri, Gregory D.
- Registered owner: Burri, Greg D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1990, 10 hours before
- Departed: ONL, O'NEILL, NE
- Destination: ALO, WATERLOO, IA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 6C0, Eldora, runway 36, 2,753 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 137 total, 113 in this make and model, 108 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 60 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 19900420010449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900420010449A), Apr 20, 1990: Piper PA22150, Eldora, IA, Substantial damage. Low on fuel,tried to land on unlighted turf runway and struck wires. Was off course,tried lights on wrong frequency

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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