# NTSB CHI82DA050: Piper PA-31-310, N7511L, East Saint Loui, IL, February 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1982, 22:03 local (Feb 16, 1982, 04:03 UTC)
- Place: East Saint Loui, IL
- Coordinates: 38.640853, -90.139259 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6409&lon=-90.1393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70544
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70544/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA050

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - notams - not issued, airport personnel (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not obtained, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload

## Analysis

THE AIRCREW DID NOT KEY THE APPROACH LIGHTS ON DURING THE FIRST ILS APPROACH AT NIGHT. THEREFORE, A MISSED APPROACH WAS MADE. ON THE SECOND APPROACH, THE LEAD-IN LIGHTS WERE VISIBLE FROM OVER ONE MILE. HOWEVER, THE VISIBILITY WAS MUCH WORSE AT TOUCHDOWN, WHICH WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR ENCOUNTERED SNOW AT THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED LEFT INTO A SNOWBANK. THE SNOWBANKS WERE ABOUT 4 FEET HIGH AND WERE LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET OUTSIDE OF THE RUNWAY LIGHTS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO NOTAMS CONCERNING THE SNOWBANKS. THE 2221 CST WEATHER OBSERVATION AT ST. LOUIS WAS TAKEN ABOUT 15 MILES AWAY AND INDICATED VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. HOWEVER, THE PILOT REPORTED THE VISIBILITY WAS VARIABLE BETWEEN 1/2 AND 3 MILES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7511L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7511L-2008-05-20), registration cancelled 2008-05-20, S/N 31-837, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-310
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31837
- Airframe hours: 5478
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-A2C 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Ira D. Farrington
- Registered owner: Ira D. Farrington
- Departed: CPS, PADUCAH, KY
- Destination: EAST SAINT LOUI, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CPS, Bi-State Parks, runway 30, 5,499 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 15,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 9,999 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 100 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STL, 15 nm away

## 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 19820215004229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820215004229A), Feb 15, 1982: Piper PA31, East St. Louis, IL, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit snowberm at side of runway after low visibility approach.

## Other investigations on N7511L (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC80FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC80FA013), Dec 11, 1979: Piper PA-31 (N7511L), Lee'S Summit, MO, substantial damage

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.

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