# NTSB CHI93LA048: Piper PA-32-300, N4152W, Shell Knob, MO, December 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 5, 1992, 17:52 local (23:52 UTC)
- Place: Shell Knob, MO
- Coordinates: 36.630989, -93.629249 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6310&lon=-93.6292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15635
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15635/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA048

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGING OF THE LANDING FLARE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ravine
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN HARD APPROXIMATELY 1/2 WAY DOWN THE RUNWAY AND OFF TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DUE TO THE LACK OF SHOULDER HARNESSES, HE WAS THROWN FORWARD DURING THE LANDING AND BECAME UNCONSCIOUS.  THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY COLLIDING WITH TREES AND A RAVINE.  THE PILOT REPORTED HE HAD LANDED AT THIS AIRSTRIP BEFORE DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, BUT NOT AT DUSK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4152W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4152W-1998-08-01), registration cancelled 1998-08-01, S/N 3240223 (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: 32-40223
- Airframe hours: 3707
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James A. Oeffinger
- Registered owner: James A. Oeffinger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1992, 66 hours before
- Departed: IC5, PLAINFIELD, IL
- Airport: 40M, Turkey Mountain Estates, runway 18, 3,740 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 273 total, 94 in this make and model, 176 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HRO, 32 nm away

## Other investigations on N4152W (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 FTW70F0097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70F0097), Jul 18, 1969: Piper PA-32 (N4152W), Arlington, TX, 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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