# NTSB CHI93LA361: Piper PA-34-200, N3084T, Fenton, MO, September 15, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 14, 1993, 19:30 local (Sep 15, 1993, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Fenton, MO - Coordinates: 38.529003, -90.449386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5290&lon=-90.4494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9313 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA361 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9313/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA361 ## Probable cause FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN LATERAL (ROLL) AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, WHEN ONE ENGINE HESITATED TO RESPOND TO APPLICATION OF POWER DURING AN ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE CROSSWIND AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command - go-around - initiated, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - aircraft parked/standing ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND (ON FINAL APPROACH), WHEN A LEFT CROSSWIND '. . . MIS- ALIGNED THE AIRPLANE WITH THE (RUNWAY 36) CENTERLINE.' HE INCREASED POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO REALIGN, BUT THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO ROLL TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER TO GO AROUND, AND '. . . THE LEFT WING ROSE RAPIDLY TO A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE.' THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, CROSSED A TAXIWAY, AND IMPACTED A ROW OF PARKED AIRPLANES. IT STRUCK FOUR PARKED AIRPLANES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. A SMALL GROUND FIRE ENSUED. THE PILOT STATED THE RIGHT ENGINE 'DID NOT RESPOND TO APPLIED POWER FOR GO AROUND.' A POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE(S). WINDS AT ST LOUIS, MISSOURI (15 MILES NORTH-NORTHEAST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE) WERE FROM 310 DEGREES AT 10 TO 14 KNOTS. ## Factual narrative On September 14, 1993, at 1930 hours central daylight time, a Piper PA34, N3084T, veered off the right side of the runway while landing at Weiss Airport, Fenton, Missouri. The airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with four parked aircraft and caught fire. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries, one passenger reported minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and an IFR flight plan was cancelled prior to the accident. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Des Moines, Iowa about 1800 hours. The pilot stated he overflew the destination airport to determine wind conditions and the appropriate runway for landing. He reported winds at St. Louis, Missouri (15 miles north northeast of the accident site) were out of 310 degrees, at 10 to 14 knots. The pilot entered the traffic pattern for Runway 36. He described the approach to the runway: "As a hill immediately precedes the threshold of Rwy 36, power was greatly reduced and loss of altitude was used to maintain airspeed." The pilot stated the airplane was about 50 feet above the runway threshold when a slight crosswind "...misaligned the airplane with the center line." He reported when he increased power slightly to realign, and the airplane began to roll to the right. The pilot applied full power to go around, and "...the left wing rose rapidly to a near vertical attitude." The airplane banked to the right, away from the runway and across the taxiway, then collided with four parked airplanes before it came to rest on a 140 degree heading. The left wing fuel tank ruptured during the impact sequence; the resultant ground fire was extinguished promptly. The pilot stated the: "Right engine did not respond to applied power For go around." Postaccident examination of the airframe and both engines revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. A postaccident engine run up was performed on the right engine. The engine started promptly, and operated normally at all power settings. FAA Inspector statements are appended. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3084T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3084T-2012-09-05), registration cancelled 2012-09-05, S/N 34-7250339, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7250339 - Airframe hours: 5395 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Skyline Aviation - Registered owner: S. I. Incorporated - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Provisional (Special) - Departed: DSM, DES MOINES, IA - Destination: 3WE - Airport: 3WE, Weiss, runway 36, 3,010 × 48 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,188 total, 5 in this make and model, 2,188 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19930914034379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930914034379A), Sep 14, 1993: Piper PA34200, St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. Wind gust raised a wing trying to align with runway. Began go around lost control. Rolled. Struck 4 parked aircraft 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.