# NTSB CHI93LA244: Piper PA-28-160, N5638W, California, MO, July 7, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1993, 20:20 local (Jul 7, 1993, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: California, MO
- Coordinates: 38.630409, -92.56031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6304&lon=-92.5603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15754
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15754/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA244

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - uphill
  - object - tree(s)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED AT A PRIVATE FIELD TO WAIT FOR AN APPROACHING STORM TO PASS OVER.  WHEN THE WEATHER CLEARED, THE PILOT DEPARTED PHILLIPS'S FIELD. DURING CLIMB OUT, THE PILOT REPORTED THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER, THE LANDING GEAR BRUSHED THE TOP LIMBS OF A LINE OF TREES, AND THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED ON A GRASSY HILLSIDE ABOUT A QUARTER MILE FROM THE AIRPORT.  THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH AIRFRAME, ENGINE OR ACCESSORIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5638W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5638W-1993-10-21), registration cancelled 1993-10-21, S/N 28786 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-786
- Airframe hours: 3832
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mueller, Reinhard B.
- Registered owner: Mueller, Reinhard B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 1992, 161 hours before
- Destination: NONE, KNOB NOSTER, MO
- Airport: 80K, Phillips Field, runway 18, 2,600 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 613 total, 492 in this make and model, 568 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JEF, 19 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 19930706022649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930706022649A), Jul 6, 1993: Piper PA28160, California, MO, Substantial damage. Attempted uphill takeoff on short strip. Brushed trees and mushed into impact in field off end of runway.

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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