# NTSB CHI91FA091: Piper PA-28R-200, N3966X, Dutchtown, MO, February 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1991, 16:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Dutchtown, MO
- Coordinates: 37.240875, -89.689971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2409&lon=-89.6900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91FA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14895/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA091

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT EXCEEDING THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LOSS OF CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - overload
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS INBOUND TO THE CAPE GIRARDEAU ARPT FROM THE NORTHWEST ON A HEADING OF ABOUT 140 DEG, AND HAD RECEIVED CLEARANCE FOR THE ILS APPROACH TO RUNWAY 10 (INBOUND COURSE 104 DEGREES). RADAR DATA REVEALED THAT THE PILOT MAINTAINED A 140 DEG HEADING UNTIL RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST ABOUT 2 MILES SOUTH OF THE LOCALIZER COURSE. ALL RADIO TRANSMISSIONS WERE NORMAL. THE OUTBOARD WING SECTIONS SEPARATED FROM THE AIRFRAME PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE LEFT WINGTIP WAS LOCATED FARTHEST FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE, AND WAS LOCATED ABOUT 600 FEET SOUTH OF THE MAIN IMPACT AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3966X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3966X-1991-03-28), registration cancelled 1991-03-28, S/N 28R7535369 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7535369
- Airframe hours: 2569
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Louis H. Sexauer
- Registered owner: Louis H. Sexauer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 19, 1990, 50 hours before
- Departed: COU, COLUMBIA, MO
- Destination: CGI, CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CGI, Cape Girardeau Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 583 total, 83 in this make and model, 478 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CGI, 8 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 19910206001679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910206001679A), Feb 6, 1991: Piper PA28R200, Cape Girardeau, MO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control while executing an ILS approach. Airframe failure from overstress. Spatial disorientation a factor.

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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