NTSB Prelim: Piper PA28 | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.14.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.15.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.16.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.17.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Mon, Apr 12, 2021

NTSB Prelim: Piper PA28

Controllers Became Concerned About The Pilot Possibly Suffering From Hypoxia

Location: Walker, MN Accident Number: CEN20LA374
Date & Time: August 31, 2020, 20:07 Local Registration: N8957W
Aircraft: Piper PA28 Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On September 1, 2020, about 2007 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-235 airplane, N8957W, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Walker, Minnesota. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

The flight originated at Hardy-Anders Field Natchez-Adams County Airport (HEZ), Natchez, Mississippi, about 0912, and landed at Kirksville Regional Airport (IRK), Kirksville, Missouri about 1303. According to records obtained from the FBO at IRK, the pilot purchased 76.1 gallons of 100 low lead aviation gas. The airplane departed IRK about 1436 with an intended destination of Bemidji Regional Airport (BJI), Bemidji, Minnesota.

While inbound to BJI and receiving services from Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZMP ARTCC), controllers became concerned about the pilot possibly suffering from hypoxia based on altitude and course deviations, and slow communication responses. ZMP controllers directed the pilot to divert to St Cloud Regional Airport (STC), St. Cloud, Minnesota, airport for medical assistance and subsequently declared an emergency for the pilot. Upon landing at STC the pilot was met by emergency medical services. The pilot refused medical treatment and then departed VFR from STC without air traffic services to BJI. According to the FBO at STC, the airplane was not serviced with fuel before departure.

Preliminary radar data indicated the airplane departed STC and flew northeast and climbed to about 4,000 ft mean seal level (msl). As the airplane approached the BJI terminal area, a line of adverse weather was observed over the intended route of travel and radar data showed the airplane made several course deviations (Figures 1 and 2). The airplane turned east, completed two 360° turns, then continued southeast headed away from BJI. The airplane then entered a course reversal, and turned northwest back toward BJI. During these deviations, the airplane descended to about 2,000 ft msl and then climbed back to 4,000 ft msl and continued to climb and descend before entering a continued climb to about 7,000 ft msl followed by a continual descent toward the ground. The last target was at 2007:39.

The airplane wreckage was located in Leech Lake, about 31 miles southeast of BJI, in about 12 ft of water. The fuselage and tail section were intact; the wings had separated from the airplane but were still connected by cables.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (07.15.25): Charted Visual Flight Procedure Approach

Charted Visual Flight Procedure Approach An approach conducted while operating on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan which authorizes the pilot of an aircraft to proceed >[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (07.15.25)

“When l became the Secretary of Defense, I committed to rebuild our military to match threats to capabilities. Drones are the biggest battlefield innovation in a generation, >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.15.25)

Aero Linx: Stearman Restorers Association Welcome to the Stearman Restorers Association. The Stearman Restorers Association is an independent “Not for Profit” 501C-3 Co>[...]

NTSB Final Report: Kjelsrud Gary Kitfox

Airplane Exhibited A Partial Loss Of Engine Power When It Was About Halfway Down The Runway Analysis: The pilot of the experimental amateur-built airplane was departing from his pr>[...]

NTSB Prelim: Cessna A150L

The Flight Path Was Consistent With Low-Altitude Maneuvering On June 18, 2025, about 0922 mountain standard time, a Cessna A150L airplane, N6436F, was substantially damaged when it>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC