# NTSB CHI93LA142: Piper PA-38-112, N9298T, Festus, MO, April 18, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1993, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Festus, MO
- Coordinates: 38.219448, -90.400108 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2194&lon=-90.4001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA142

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH DURING APPROACH. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S MOTION SICKNESS AND THE EFFECT OF THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION ON HIS PILOTING PERFORMANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(motion sickness), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A ROUND-ROBIN SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM ST. LOUIS TO POTOSI, BONNE TERRE, AND RETURN. DURING THE RETURN TRIP TO ST. LOUIS THE PILOT BECAME MOTION-SICK AND DIVERTED TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT - FESTUS - FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE AIRPLANE LANDED 250 FT SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, ABOUT 40 FT BELOW THE CREST OF THE HILL WHERE THE RUNWAY IS LOCATED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD TAKEN AN OVER-THE-COUNTER MOTION-SICKNESS TABLET (50 MG DIMENHYDRINATE) PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE FROM ST. LOUIS; AN ELAPSED FLIGHT TIME OF ABOUT 2.1 HRS. THE LABEL OF THE MEDICATION STATED IT COULD CAUSE MARKED DROWSINESS, AND BORE A CAUTION AGAINST DRIVING OR OPERATING MACHINERY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9298T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9298T-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 38-78A0337, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0337
- Airframe hours: 4041
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Phoenix Aviation
- Registered owner: Phoenix Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 18, 1993, 47 hours before
- Departed: SUS, SAINT LOUIS, MO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FES, Festus Memorial, runway 18, 2,200 × 49 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 52 total, 52 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUS, 35 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 19930418009619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930418009619A), Apr 18, 1993: Piper PA38112, Festus, MO, Substantial damage. Struck on a hill below runway threshold. Had takeon motion sickness pill prior takeoff. May have altered judgement.

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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