This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N3806Y
- Hitstory of Flight:
On August 27, 2025, at about 2057 local time, a Cessna 210D Centurion, N3806Y, registered to Onion Crest Air LLC out of Arcadia, NE, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while on approach to Kearney Municipal Airport (EAR/KEAR), Kearney, Nebraska. The airline transport pilot and one private pilot were fatally injured. The cross-country personal flight originated from Bakko Aviation Airport (MN71), Glenwood, Minnesota, and was destined to KEAR.
According to preliminary automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at 1843 LT, the airplane departed MN71 and climbed to an inflight cruising altitude of 8,000 ft. At 2034:00, the airplane started its descent towards Kearney. At 2050:12, the airplane conducted a right turn and entered a short "zigzag" motion. At 2053:29, the airplane conducted a left turn and started a descent from 4,200 ft. At 2056:08, the last ADS-B return was recorded at 3,500 ft, 124 knots groundspeed, with an average rate of -900 feet per minute (fpm). Flightaware was able to track the airplane for another minute. The last data point on that site was recorded 6 miles north of the approach end of runway 13 at 2,500 ft, 135 knots groundspeed, an average rate of -2000 fpm. (figure 1)
Figure 1: ADS-B Exchange data on Google Earth Pro
There were no known witnesses to the accident. The airplane was subject of an ALNOT and located 12 hours later.
- Pilot Information:
The first occupant, aged 77, held a private pilot certificate (issued /updated 9/26/2022) with a rating for airplane single-engine land and an instrument rating. There was no available information regarding a FAA medical/BasicMed
The second occupant, aged 72, held an airline transport pilot certificate (issued/updated 8/8/2006) with a rating for airplane multi-engine land, and commercial privileges in airplane single-engine land. His first class FAA medical was issued on January 2025, with a note that he must wear corrective lenses to meet vision standards at all required distances.
- Aircraft Information:
The accident airplane, serial number 21058306, was manufactured in 1964. It was six-seat, high-performance, retractable-gear, single-engined, high-wing airplane powered by a Continental O-470 engine.
According to the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), "Operations Authorized" section:
"With standard equipment, the airplane is approved for day and night operation under VFR. Additional optional equipment is available to in- crease its utility and to make it authorized for use under IFR day and night. An owner of a properly equipped Cessna is eligible to obtain ap- proval for its operation on single-engine schedule airline service under VFR. Your Cessna Dealer will be happy to assist you in selecting equipment best suited to your needs."
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
unknown
- Airport Information:
Kearney Municipal Airport is a non-towered public airport located 4 miles northeast of Kearney, Nebraska. The airport field elevation was 2131.8 ft msl. The airport had two runways: runway 18/36 (7094 ft by 100 ft, concrete) and runway 13/31 (4498 ft by 75 ft, asphalt).
- Weather:
(1) Brief:
The reported weather at KGPH, at 2056 (about 1 minutes before the accident) included: wind 150° at 8 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, an overcast (OVC) ceiling at 500 ft, a temperature of 18° C, a dew point of 18° C, and a barometric altimeter setting of 30.11 inches of mercury.
(2) METARs:
METAR KEAR 280056Z AUTO 16006KT 9SM OVC007 18/18 A3011 RMK AO2 SLP187 T01830178
METAR KEAR 280113Z AUTO 16007KT 10SM OVC005 18/18 A3010 RMK AO2 CIG 004V008
METAR KEAR 280156Z AUTO 15008KT 10SM OVC005 18/18 A3011 RMK AO2 SLP185 T01830178 <<<
METAR KEAR 280225Z AUTO 16008KT 7SM OVC003 18/18 A3011 RMK AO2
METAR KEAR 280256Z AUTO 16007KT 6SM BR OVC003 18/18 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP192 T01780178 53008
(3) Area Forecast Discussion:
According to the Area Forecast Discussion released by the National Weather Service for Hastings NE on 625 PM CDT Wed Aug 27 2025:
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Unseasonably cool for the whole 7 day forecast. Highs
generally in the 70s, briefly warmer Tuesday, but still below
normal.
- Low clouds and fog potential tonight especially for areas
along and southwest of a line from Broken Bow, NE to Beloit,
KS. Some areas could see dense fog (<1/4 mile), especially
along and west of Highway 183 in Nebraska and Kansas.
- Scattered off and on rain chances for much of the area.
Tonight, Rain/thunderstorms will largely stay south of the
Kansas and Nebraska border. 50% chance of scattered showers
for Saturday and Sunday across the area.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 220 PM CDT Wed Aug 27 2025
Weak upper level flow is present across the Central Plains and
across the West. The area remains under northwesterly flow,
allowing any weak disturbance that moves across the area to
bring a potential for weak scattered showers or thunderstorms.
At the surface, forcing is generally weak as well, providing
generally light winds. Lee troughing this afternoon is the
biggest contributor, but that will weaken this evening as the
system slides southward.
Cloud cover will dominate the next 24 hours for most. This evening
thunderstorms are expected to develop in the high plains of eastern
Colorado and the Nebraska Panhandle, before tracking eastward
overnight, primarily across Kansas. There is some potential (30-
50%) that areas between I-80 and the NE/KS state line could see some
rain, but by far the best chance (>70%) will reside south of the
KS/NE state line. MUCAPE is generally less than 500 J/kg, so severe
storms are not expected.
Tonight, the main hazard to be aware of is the potential for fog,
some of it could be dense. Reduced visibilities are possible
primarily along and southwest of a line from Broken Bow, NE to
Beloit, KS. Dense fog is possible with less than a quarter mile
along and west of Highway 183 in Nebraska and Kansas.
Rain chances increase for the weekend, as a disturbance slides
southeast across the area. Without strong upper level forcing, this
disturbance will impact the area throughout the weekend. Generally
speaking, there is a 30-50% chance of showers impacting the whole
area Saturday and Sunday, peaking Saturday night into Sunday
morning. Rainfall amounts will generally be between 0.25-0.50
inches, with only a 25-33% chance of rainfall amounts exceeding
1.00 inch.
Labor Day will be near 80 degrees with clearing clouds and light
winds. Enjoy the day. The warmest day in the current forecast
period is Tuesday with highs in the low 80s. Temps are generally
near to slightly below normal for the rest of the work-week before
warming for the next weekend.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 621 PM CDT Wed Aug 27 2025
For KGRI/KEAR Airports:
MVFR ceilings already into both KEAR and KGRI this
evening and those will continue to lower through the
night with IFR to LIFR conditions by morning. Fog will
also develop, probably favoring the Kearney area more
so than Grand Island, but visibilities will also
drop to less than 2 miles or even 1 mile at times
after midnight. A slightly steadier south winds will
become light and variable overnight. No precipitation
is expected though there may be a few sprinkles to the
west of Kearney this evening.
(3) Sun and Moon Data:
According to the United States Naval Observatory, the official sunset occurred at 2015, end of civil twilight at 2045. At the time of the accident the Sun was -8 degrees below the horizon, and the Moon was 11 degrees over the horizon.
- Additional Information:
no
