# NTSB CHI02FA193: Piper PA-28-180, N5164L, Lee's Summit, MO, July 18, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 18, 2002, 07:40 local (12:40 UTC) - Place: Lee's Summit, MO - Coordinates: 38.958889, -94.377777 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9589&lon=-94.3778&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Textron Lycoming - NTSB case key (mKey): 55271 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02FA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55271/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55271 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02FA193 ## Probable cause The inadequate preflight planning/preparation, the flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and lack of instrument certification by the pilot. Contributing factors were fog/clouds and the pilot's nondisclosure of his physical condition to the Federal Aviation Administration. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, climb - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - physiological condition, pilot in command (contributing factor) - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause) - lack of certification, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - use of inappropriate medication/drug, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - residence - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane was destroyed when it impacted terrain and a single family home adjacent to the departure airport after the pilot took off into instrument meteorological conditions. The airplane was seen descending out of these conditions in a steep right turn over the airport. The non-instrument rated pilot had a total flight time of 228 hours over the past seven years, of which 7.4 hours were in the past year, 4.1 hours were in the past 90 days, and 0 hours were in the past 30 days. The pilot had been under treatment for multiple chronic painful conditions, and had been prescribed tramadol as a primary treatment for those conditions. The medication was found at a level several times higher than the maximum expected from the dose prescribed to the pilot. Tramadol is a prescription narcotic-like painkiller used for the management of moderate to severe pain. Common side effects of tramadol include dizziness and sleepiness, and at least one study has noted a decrease in complex task performance with the use of the drug. The pilot had also been treated for anxiety and depression. He withheld information regarding treatment for these conditions from the Federal Aviation Administration and was issued a third class medical certificate. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies which would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 18, 2002, at 0740 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N5164L, operated by Midwest Executive Aircraft, Inc., as a rental airplane, was destroyed when it impacted terrain and a single-family home after takeoff from runway 18 (4,015 feet by 75 feet, concrete) at Lee's Summit Municipal Airport (LXT), Lee's Summit, Missouri. A postcrash fire of the airplane and home ensued. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The non-instrument rated private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. There were no ground injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Miami, Oklahoma. A witness stated, "Early on the morning of Thursday, July 18, 2002, I arrived at Lee's Summit Airport at approximately 6:30 a.m. intending to initiate a VFR flight to Jefferson City. I needed additional fuel so I brought my Skylane to the fuel pumps. It became obvious to me that a thick bank of fog was approaching the airport from the south. As my plane was being fueled, I checked the duats terminal and noticed that there was marginal VFR and 100-foot ceiling at Johnson Country Executive Airport. Also, at that time, a Cessna 150 in the pattern landed and taxied up; the instructor and student commented on the approaching fog. We were all taken a bit by surprise of the sudden arrival of the fog. It approached steadily from the south and soon the south end of the runway and trees on the horizon were obscured. The ceiling probably was a 100-feet, or less, and visibility under the fog was probably one-half of a mile to one-third of a mile. There was very limited light, and no blue sky was visible through it. This was probably a little after 7:00 a.m." "After paying for my fuel I walked with the line boy towards my airplane. We were both shocked to hear an aircraft power up at the north end of the runway, and we walked towards the runway; I commented that this is not a day to be flying IFR or VFR. The aircraft in question was a Piper Cherokee, probably a 160 or 180. There were clearly two occupants in the front seats; both appeared to be large males. The plane rotated, in my estimation, a bit prematurely and then gained additional airspeed. It did not lose any altitude and took off smoothly at about midfield, climbed appropriately, and disappeared into the fog bank before reaching the end of the runway. This was probably at an altitude of 100 feet of so. I commented to the line boy, "I hope we are not seeing what I think we are going to see." I walked back to my airplane, approximately 30 to 40 feet. I was at the door of my craft probably 20 to 30 seconds after that craft took off, when I heard a plane in rapid decent, the engine accelerating. I looked up and he was making a very steep right hand turn directly over the airport and the terminal building, probably at an altitude of 150 to 200 feet. He was visible briefly as he came out of the fog. Basically, he made about one-half of a pattern, which would have been a right hand pattern, and came back over the field near the runway, and disappeared into the cloud bank again. The engine sounds were muffled by the clouds; I did not detect any decrease or increase in rpm." "I actually approached the building fearing that this aircraft may come out right on top of the airport again. I then ventured about 20 steps to the east at which time we felt and heard a very significant impact and explosion..." The homeowner whose house was hit by the airplane stated, "I was in the kitchen and did not hear anything unusual. Suddenly there was a couple of large 'thuds' and instant huge fire-ball all around the house. The south end of the house started completely on fire. We ran out of the house as a guy from the airport came to help. We saw that is was a plane, totally destroyed and on fire. We grabbed a garden hose and tried to knock down the flames, especially around the engine where we saw 2 people. After we could get closer it was evident that they were dead. The fire department soon arrived and put out the rest of the fire. The weather was foggy [and] hazy. The clouds were very close. We never heard anything until the explosion. We are used to the sound of small planes, but this one was totally quiet until it hit the house," PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 62, held a private pilot certificate with a single engine land rating issued on March 15, 1995. On March 29, 2001, he received his last biennial flight review, at a total flight time of 219.5 hours, which was accomplished in the accident airplane. His last recorded flight was on June 16, 2002 at a total flight time of 228 hours in the accident airplane. He accumulated a total flight time of 7.4 hours in the last year, of which 4.1 hours were in the last 90 days, and 0 hours were in the last 30 days. He received a third class medical certificate on March 18, 2002, with the following limitations: "Holder must shall wear corrective lenses." AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The 1967 Piper PA-28-180, serial number 28-4449, was operated as a flight instruction and rental airplane by Midwest Executive Aircraft, Inc, based at LXT. The airplane received its last inspection during an annual inspection on June 20, 2002, at a tachometer time of 880 hours; a new tachometer was installed on March 10, 2000, replacing the previous tachometer at 1,842 hours. The airplane was powered by a Textron Lycoming O-360-A4A, serial number L-24664-36A, 180-horsepower engine was last inspected during an annual inspection on June 20, 2002, at 880 hours. The engine was installed on February 28, 1999, at a tachometer time of 1,503 hours. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The LXT automated surface observing system recorded, at 0743: winds 210 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 1 3/4 statute miles mist; ceiling overcast 300 feet above ground level (agl); temperature 22 degrees Celsius (C); dew point 22 degrees C; altimeter setting 30.02 inches of mercury. The remarks section of the report stated that the ceiling was variable from 100-600 feet agl. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane impacted a power line over a residential road and a single family home before coming to rest about 0.3 nautical miles and 259 degrees from LXT. The wreckage path was about 205 feet in length and oriented on a heading of 320 degrees from the power line to the main wreckage. The engine, empennage, and left wing were attached to the fuselage. The left wing tip and right wing were located along the wreckage path. There was a series of parallel scrapes in the road oriented along the wreckage path heading about 50 feet from the power lines, which were about 30 feet in height. The scrapes extended about 15 feet outward from two slash marks that were forward from these scrapes. The slash marks were separated by a distance of about 3 feet 7 inches. The propeller exhibited S-shaped bending and twisting with chordwise gouging of the tips. The cockpit and instrument panel were destroyed by fire. The fuel selector was in the left fuel tank position. Left aileron control continuity was confirmed from the control chain to the bellcrank. Control continuity of from the empennage to the rudder pedals was confirmed. The flap handle was in the 0 degree flap position. The horizontal stabilizer trim jack screw was extended about 1 1/8 inches which equates to a nose up trim of about 4.5 degrees. Borescope examination of each cylinder revealed no anomalies. The spark plugs were removed and the engine was then rotated by hand. Continuity of the engine valve train and rear gears was noted. The suction and expulsion of air from each cylinder was noted when the engine was rotated. The engine driven vacuum pump drive shaft was intact. No anomalies were noted when the vacuum pump was rotated by hand an ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5164L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5164L-2002-11-26), registration cancelled 2002-11-26, S/N 28-4449, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-4449 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Midwest Executive Aircraft, Inc. - Registered owner: P and K Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 2002 - Departed: LXT, Lee Summit, MO - Destination: Miami, OK - Airport: LXT, Lee's Summit Municipal, runway 18, 4,015 × 75 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 29, 2001; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 228 total, 83 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Visibility: 1.75 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: LXT ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020718027619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020718027619A), Jul 18, 2002: Piper PA28180, Lee'S Summit, MO, Destroyed, 2 fatal. (-23) Aircraft departed Lee'S Summit Municipal Airport (lxt), Lee'S Summit, Missouri, en route to miami, Oklahoma. The aircraft was destroyed after impacting… ## Docket (40 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 23, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55271. 13.6 MB in all. - Witness Statements (item 1, .PDF, 210 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419618&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Wreckage Diagram (item 2, .PDF, 15 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199034&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Weather Information (item 3, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199035&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-Master.PDF - Medical Records Information (item 4, .PDF, 9 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40175029&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Medical%20Records%20Information-Master.PDF - Pilot Logs (item 5, .PDF, 6.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419631&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Logs-Redacted.PDF - Airplane Records (item 6, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419632&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Records-Redacted.PDF - Toxicology Report (item 7, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419486&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicology%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 8, .PDF, 335 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419487&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 9, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419488&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Wreckage Path (item 10, .PDF, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199056&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20Wreckage%20Path-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Wreckage Path (item 11, .PDF, 161 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199057&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20%20Wreckage%20Path-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Scrapes (item 12, .PDF, 219 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199058&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20%20Scrapes-Master.PDF - Photo 4. Scrapes (item 13, .PDF, 268 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199060&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20%20Scrapes-Master.PDF - Photo 5. Slash Mark (item 14, .PDF, 324 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199061&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205.%20%20Slash%20Mark-Master.PDF - Photo 6. Slash Mark (item 15, .PDF, 308 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199062&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206.%20%20Slash%20Mark-Master.PDF - Photo 7. Wreckage Path (item 16, .PDF, 296 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199063&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207.%20%20Wreckage%20Path-Master.PDF - Photo 8. Right Wing (item 17, .PDF, 200 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199064&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208.%20%20Right%20Wing-Master.PDF - Photo 9. Main Wreckage (item 18, .PDF, 246 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199065&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%209.%20%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 10. Main Wreckage (item 19, .PDF, 236 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199066&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2010.%20%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 11. Main Wreckage (item 20, .PDF, 232 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199114&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2011.%20%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 12. Main Wreckage (item 21, .PDF, 242 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199115&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2012.%20%20Main%20Wreckage-Master.PDF - Photo 13. Engine (item 22, .PDF, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199116&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2013.%20%20Engine-Master.PDF - Photo 14. Engine (item 23, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199117&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2014.%20%20Engine-Master.PDF - Photo 15. Engine (item 24, .PDF, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199118&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2015.%20%20Engine-Master.PDF - Photo 16. Engine (item 25, .PDF, 187 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199119&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2016.%20%20Engine-Master.PDF - Photo 17. Engine (item 26, .PDF, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199120&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2017.%20%20Engine-Master.PDF - Photo 18. Propeller (item 27, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199121&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2018.%20%20Propeller-Master.PDF - Photo 19. Propeller (item 28, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199122&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2019.%20%20Propeller-Master.PDF - Photo 20. Propeller (item 29, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199123&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2020.%20%20Propeller-Master.PDF - Photo 21. Spark Plugs (item 30, .PDF, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199124&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2021.%20%20Spark%20Plugs-Master.PDF - Photo 22. Carburetor (item 31, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199125&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2022.%20%20Carburetor-Master.PDF - Photo 23. Carburetor (item 32, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199126&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2023.%20%20Carburetor-Master.PDF - Photo 24. Carburetor (item 33, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199127&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2024.%20%20Carburetor-Master.PDF - Photo 25. Oil Screen and Filter (item 34, .PDF, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199128&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2025.%20%20Oil%20Screen%20and%20Filter-Master.PDF - Photo 26. Vacuum Pump (item 35, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199129&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2026.%20%20Vacuum%20Pump-Master.PDF - Photo 27. Vacuum Pump (item 36, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199131&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2027.%20%20Vacuum%20Pump-Master.PDF - Photo 28. Fuel Selector (item 37, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199132&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2028.%20%20Fuel%20Selector-Master.PDF - Photo 29. Attitude Indicator (item 38, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199133&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2029.%20%20Attitude%20Indicator-Master.PDF - Photo 30. Attitude Indicator Gyro (item 39, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199134&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2030.%20%20Attitude%20Indicator%20Gyro-Master.PDF - Photo 31. Attitude Indicator Gyro (item 40, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40199135&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2031.%20%20Attitude%20Indicator%20Gyro-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.