Piper PA-28R-180 accident near Norfolk, NE

On April 28, 2013, a Piper PA-28R-180 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Norfolk, NE. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.

Date

April 28, 2013

Place

Norfolk, NE

Aircraft

Piper PA-28R-180 · Airplane

Injuries

2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Substantial

Position

41.982°N, 97.383°W

NTSB ID

20130428X11150

Official records · CEN13FA241

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn April 27, 2013, at 1959 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180 airplane, N3970T, was substantially damaged during a wire strike and subsequent ground impact near Norfolk, Nebraska. Both occupants, the private pilot and passenger, were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to Pro-Flite Incorporated and was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed from Norfolk Regional Airport (OFK), Norfolk, Nebraska at 1957. Multiple witnesses who were piloting radio controlled airplanes on the south end of the airport saw the accident airplane takeoff from Runway 14 at OFK. After climbing to about 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL), the airplane began a steady descent eastbound to a low altitude and out of sight. Seconds later, the airplane reappeared in a steep left bank and then descended out of sight again. Previous to the accident flight, the pilot and passenger departed Millard Airport (MLE), Omaha, Nebraska, at 1801 for their flight into OFK. About 1830, two witnesses noticed an airplane similar in type, color, and design to the accident plane flying at low altitude about 6 miles southeast of OFK. The first witness noticed this airplane flying about 100 feet AGL, banking left and right to follow a river basin. From a different location, the second witness characterized the airplane's maneuvers as similar to crop duster operations, with multiple low altitude passes about 15 to 20 feet AGL. PERSONNEL INFORMA

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude and his subsequent failure to see and avoid power lines.

More accidents in NE

• Piper PA-32R-300, Oct 16, 1993
• Piper PA-31, Apr 14, 1986
• Raytheon Aircraft Company 58, Jan 11, 2013
• Cessna 210H, Jan 19, 1986
• Beech C35, Jun 17, 1984

Browse: Nebraska · Piper aircraft

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.