# NTSB CHI93LA242: Stinson V77, N73589, St. Charles, MO, July 4, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1993, 11:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: St. Charles, MO
- Location: 38.7957° N, 90.5154° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of St. Charles, MO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7957&lon=-90.5154&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA242

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE WIND GUSTS PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - inaccurate
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT, THE PILOT OBTAINED WEATHER BRIEFS FROM BOTH STL AND SUS PRIOR TO HIS LANDING AT SMARTT AIRPORT, NEITHER OF WHICH REPORTED WIND GUSTS FOR THE LANDING.  N73589 MADE A CROSSWIND LANDING ON RUNWAY 27.  DURING ROLLOUT, A WIND GUST 'THREW THE TAIL UP INTO THE AIR,' THE NOSE HIT THE GROUND, AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.  POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH AIRFRAME, ENGINE OR ACCESSORIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73589](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73589), registered now, S/N 77-340 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON V77
- Registry model: [Stinson VULTEE V-77](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-vultee-v-77) (registry code 8631802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 77-340
- Airframe hours: 1119
- Engines: LYCOMING R-680-13 E3B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: J.W. Meyerpeter
- Registered owner: Gullwing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1992, 27 hours before
- Airport: 3SQ, St. Charles Airport, runway 27, 3,451 × 49 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,070 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STL, 5 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 19930704021959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930704021959A), Jul 4, 1993: Stnson V77STINSON, St Charles, MO, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in gusty crosswind. ATIS not updated to include wind gusts.

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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