# NTSB CHI91LA164: Piper PA-32-300, N931VN, St. Charles, MO, May 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1991, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: St. Charles, MO
- Coordinates: 38.789299, -90.510147 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7893&lon=-90.5101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15071
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15071/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA164

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS, THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND THE VEHICLES WHICH THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL ON RUNWAY 18, THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY AND TRAVELED INTO THE GRASS WHERE THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED A GRAIN WAGON AND A PICK-UP TRUCK.  WIND CONDITIONS REPORTED 10NM AWAY WERE FROM 130 DEGREES AT 13 KNOTS GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS.  THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 103 HOURS AND HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS CONTROLLING THE AIRPLANE IN CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N931VN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N931VN-1991-10-16), registration cancelled 1991-10-16, S/N 327740084 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7740084
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Web Associate Electronic
- Registered owner: Web Associate Electronic
- Destination: AIZ, LAKE OZARK, MO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 3SZ, Smartt, runway 18, 3,800 × 75 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 103 total, 44 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 13 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: STL, 10 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 19910524017519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910524017519A), May 24, 1991: Piper PA32300, St Charles, MO, Destroyed. Lost directional control on crosswind takeoff. Ran off runway into vehicles. Had been advised more dual. Declined

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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