# NTSB CHI94LA043: Cleveland Piel Emeraude CP-304, N7631C, Warrensburg, MO, December 2, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1993, 16:51 local (22:51 UTC)
- Place: Warrensburg, MO
- Coordinates: 38.750652, -93.720382 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7507&lon=-93.7204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9434
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9434/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA043

## Probable cause

the intentional entry of a stall/spin by the student pilot.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall/spin - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT STATES THAT HE CLIMBED THE EXPERIMENTAL, HOME BUILT AIRPLANE TO AN ALTITUDE OF 4,200 FEET MSL TO PRACTICE NORMAL SPIN ENTRY AND RECOVERY.  OUT OF CURIOSITY, HE APPLIED POWER WHILE IN THE SPIN TO SEE IF THE AIRPLANE WOULD SPIN FASTER.  THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE IMMEDIATELY ROSE, AND AS THE AIRPLANE ENTERED INTO A FLAT SPIN, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER BEFORE IMPACT WITH THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On December 2, 1993, at 1651 central standard time, a Piel Emeraude CP-304, N7631C, sustained substantial damage in a crash at a private airstrip near Warrensburg, Missouri.  The solo student pilot received serious injuries.  The local instructional flight originated at the private strip where the accident occurred.  No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

In a written statement provided to the NTSB, the pilot states that he had climbed to an altitude of 4,200 feet MSL to practice normal spin entry and recovery.  Out of curiosity, he said he applied power while in the spin to see if the airplane would spin faster. The airplane's nose immediately rose, and as the airplane entered into a flat spin, the engine lost power.  The pilot was unable to recover before impact with the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7631C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7631C-2001-11-08), registration cancelled 2001-11-08, S/N 1036, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CLEVELAND PIEL EMERAUDE CP-304 (PIEL EMERA)
- Registry model: [Cleveland PIEL EMERAUDE CP-304](https://openairdocs.org/model/cleveland-piel-emeraude-cp-304) (registry code 70218SM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1036
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Donald H. Fletcher, Sr.
- Registered owner: Donald H. Fletcher, Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKC, 54 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 19931202045759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931202045759A), Dec 2, 1993: Glasfl 304, Warrensburg, MO, Substantial damage. Practice spins. Used power in spin to see if would spin faster. Entered flat spin. Engine quit. No 90 day indorse.

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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