# NTSB CHI93LA319: Piper J-2, N17837, Warrensburg, MO, August 8, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1993, 12:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Warrensburg, MO
- Coordinates: 38.749053, -93.720741 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7491&lon=-93.7207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9278
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA319
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9278/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA319

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation. A factor in the accident was the downdraft near the end of the runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT USED RUNWAY 13 FOR TAKEOFF.  THE RUNWAY IS 1400 FEET LONG AND HAS A TREE LINE ACROSS THE DEPARTURE END. THE WIND WAS FROM 180 DEGREES AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS. THE PILOT STATED THE DOWNDRAFT FROM THE WIND ACROSS THE TREE LINE PREVENTED A NORMAL RATE OF CLIMB. THE PILOT MADE A TURN TO THE LEFT TO AVOID THE TREE LINE, AND CRASHED IN A FIELD NEXT TO THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT WROTE IN HIS REPORT TO THE NTSB THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD NOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF UNDER THE EXISTING [WIND] CONDITIONS.

## Factual narrative

On August 8, 1993, at 1220 central daylight time, a Piper J-2, NC17837, crashed on takeoff from a private airstrip near Warrensburg, Missouri.  The airplane received substantial damage.

The commercial pilot and the passenger aboard the airplane were not injured.  The intended destination for the personal flight was Skyhaven Airport, Warrensburg.  No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot utilized runway 13 for takeoff. The wind was 180 degrees at 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots.  There is a tree line near the departure end of the runway.  The pilot reported the downdraft coming over the tree line prevented a normal climbout.  He said he made a left turn to avoid the trees.  The airplane crashed in a field next to the runway.

The pilot wrote in his report to the NTSB that the accident could have been avoided if he had not attempted to takeoff under the existing [wind] conditions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17837](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17837), registered now, S/N 1272 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-2
- Registry model: [Piper J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j-2) (registry code 7100402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1272
- Airframe hours: 612
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-40 40 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David J. Short
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 1993, 23 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 13, 1,400 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 590 total, 253 in this make and model, 545 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19930808028459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930808028459A), Aug 8, 1993: Piper J2PIPER, Warrensburg, MO, Substantial damage. Tried to depart in excessive crosswind. Lost control in downdraft turbulence in lee of trees. Crashed off 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.