Piper PA-28-181 accident near Waseca, MN
On January 23, 1994, a Piper PA-28-181 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Waseca, MN. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- January 23, 1994
- Place
- Waseca, MN
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-181 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 44.081°N, 93.500°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X00602
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On January 22, 1994, approximately 1905 hours central standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N4510N, operated as a rental aircraft by NorthStar Aviation, Inc., of Mankato, Minnesota, impacted terrain in an open field in the vicinity of Waseca, Minnesota. The airplane was destroyed. The noninstrument rated private pilot and three passengers received fatal injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Rochester, Minnesota approximately 1810 hours. The pilot and his brother departed the Mankato Municipal Airport (MKT) about 1700. They told family members they intended to fly to Rochester Municipal Airport (RST) to pick up two passengers for a pleasure flight. Upon their arrival in the Rochester area, the pilot had difficulty establishing two-way communications with RST Air Traffic Control (ATC). ATC controller statements indicate the pilot's transmissions were loud and clear, but he did not respond to transmissions from Approach or Local Controllers. The controllers stated the pilot followed lost communications procedures, and landed without incident. During a subsequent telephone conversation, the pilot told controllers he had radio problems, and requested instructions for a no radio (NORDO) departure. The Controller statements indicate approximately 1810 the airplane taxied to the departure end of Runway 13, and received a green light gun signal clearance to takeoff. The Local Controller stated the airplane took off, made a left downwin
Probable cause
CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT BY THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE (OR CLEARANCE) ABOVE THE GROUND. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: AN INACCURATE WEATHER FORECAST BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY IN EQUIPMENT (RADIO), DARKNESS, THE ADVERSE WEATHE
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Browse: Minnesota · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
