# NTSB CHI92FA044: Piper PA-32RT/300T, N39555, Camdenton, MO, December 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1991, 11:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Camdenton, MO
- Coordinates: 38.000656, -92.740768 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0007&lon=-92.7408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15276
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15276/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA044

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DISREGARD FOR WIND CONDITIONS, NOT ABORTING THE TAKEOFF, AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE PILOT AFTER THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE.  FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE AN INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION BY THE PILOT, NOT MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AND AFTER LIFTOFF, ON THE PART OF THE PILOT.  ADDITIONAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE AND AN OVER-CONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY ON BEHALF OF THE PILOT.

## 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 - unfavorable wind
  - preflight planning/preparation - performed, pilot in command
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wind information - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not identified, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - performed, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE HIGH PERFORMANCE SINGLE-ENGINE AIRPLANE OBTAINED A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO ARRIVING AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.  UPON ARRIVAL, THE PILOT CONVERSED WITH THE AIRPORT MANAGER.  THE AIRPORT MANAGER OBTAINED CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR THE PILOT WHICH RELATED TO AN AIRPORT APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES NORTHEAST.  THE REPORTED WINDS WERE 200 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 31 KNOTS.  THE PILOT DEPARTED RUNWAY 15 SHORTLY AFTER OBTAINING THE WIND INFORMATION.  THE AIRPORT MANAGER STATED HE OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE'S MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRES SMOKING DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.  SHORTLY AFTER THIS HE HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND SAW FIRE AND SMOKE.  A FIREMAN WHO ARRIVED SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT OBSERVED THE WIND SOCK POINTING IN A SOUTHEASTERLY DIRECTION.  THE RUNWAY DISPLAYED 1,609 FEET OF SKID MARKS MAKING A GRADUAL ARC TO THE RIGHT.  THE CLEARWAY, BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND TAXIWAY, DISPLAYED 334 FEET OF TIRE DEPRESSION AND FURROW MARKS WHICH PARALELED THE RUNWAY BEFORE TERMINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39555](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39555-2018-01-19), registration cancelled 2018-01-19, S/N 32R-7887108, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT/300T (PA-32RT/30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (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: 32R-788710B
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gene E. Decker
- Registered owner: Gene E. Decker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: STL, ST. LOUIS, MO
- Airport: H21, Camdenton, runway 15, 3,450 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 664 total, 67 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 22 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: A1Z, 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 19911208055099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911208055099A), Dec 8, 1991: Piper PA32RT300T, Camdenton, MO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Used weather check another airport then departed 35 knot tailwind. 1600FT of skid marks in arc to wreckage.

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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