1) SD-D, C-FIT

Piper PA-28-140 | N9626K

August 26th, 2024 | Laurel, Nebraska

Accident Location

  • City: Laurel
  • State: Nebraska
  • Latitude: 42.334419
  • Longitude: -97.067471
  • Airport ID:

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N9626K
  • Make: Piper
  • Model: PA-28-140
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Finck, Charles Joseph Sr.
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 79
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
  • IFR Rating: No
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 3rd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: August 26th, 2024
  • Time: 9:45 AM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: IMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Enroute
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 0
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No: CEN24FA327
  • NTSB Travel: Unknown
  • AQP Classification: 1) SD-D, C-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the non instrument rated pilot elected to continue on towards his intended destination during periods of lowering cloud cover and reduced visibility due to fog. The pilot continued VFR flight into ever deteriorating low IMC conditions. The pilot rated landowner, whose property the airplane impacted, stated the clouds were at about 100 ft above the ground when he initially heard the airplane fly by. Several minutes later he heard the airplane at a very high rpm followed by a loud “pop” and silence afterwards. A black plume of smoke appeared, and he eventually located the airplane in his cornfield. Due to round impact marks, it is presumed that the aircraft struck the surrounding terrain in a nose low, let wing low attitude, and at a very high speed, all indicative of spatial disorientation.

NTSB: 

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilot of all aircraft use all available technology for both pre flight and enroute, to avoid flight into these type conditions, and that pilots be fully prepared to turn around while a return is still possible.

NTSB:

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.