Casualties unknown

1998-08-10: Piper PA-28R-200 (N9350N) — New Hampton, IA

New Hampton, IA, US

On August 10, 1998, a Piper PA-28R-200 (registration N9350N) was involved in an aviation accident near New Hampton, IA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate preflight/planning inspection and his continued flight into known adverse weather conditions that led to spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

Aircraft N9350N departed Minneapolis en route to Janesville, Wisconsin, in instrument meteorological conditions. The pilot lacked an instrument rating. The wreckage was scattered over a large area, with wings and tail surfaces separated from the fuselage.

Accident Details

On an unspecified date, a pilot operating aircraft N9350N departed from Airlake Airport in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a planned destination of Rock County Airport in Janesville, Wisconsin. The flight took place under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), as confirmed by radar data showing activity near the accident site. The pilot did not hold an airplane instrument rating.

Weather Conditions

At 1928 central daylight time, an individual identifying the aircraft as N9350N received a visual flight rules (VFR) weather briefing. The weather briefer reported that a northeast-southwest oriented cold front was moving through the area, ahead of which was a large area of thunderstorms and rain showers extending from around Rochester to the Stevens Point area. During the briefing, the caller stated that he was viewing radar imagery of convective activity on a screen in front of him.

Communications and Wreckage

No radio communications were recorded between the accident aircraft and either Flight Watch or Minneapolis Center. The wreckage was dispersed over a 1,350-foot by 1,030-foot area. Both wings, the vertical stabilizer, and the left half of the stabilator were not located with the aircraft's fuselage; these components exhibited deformation at their separation points.

Registration Information

The aircraft registration, N9350N, was noted during the weather briefing. No further aircraft details, such as type or engine count, are available from the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10784. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.