# NTSB CHI95LA027: Piper PA-22-108, N5433Z, Mt. Vernon, MO, October 11, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1994, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Vernon, MO
- Coordinates: 37.099334, -93.809867 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0993&lon=-93.8099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9790/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA027

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate visual lookout. A factor associated with the accident is the fence post.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence post (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING STRUCK A FENCE POST AS HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN A HAY FIELD OWNED BY A RELATIVE. THE  PILOT SAID HE HAD FLOWN FROM THE SAME FIELD EARLIER IN THE DAY, BUT ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT HE FAILED TO SEE THE FENCE POST DURING HIS APPROACH TO LAND.

## Factual narrative

On October 11, 1994, about 1700 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-108 airplane, N5433Z, received substantial damage when it collided with a fence post while landing in a field near Mt. Vernon, Missouri.  The solo private pilot was not injured.  The local, personal flight originated about 1650, and operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.

The pilot reported the accident occurred while he was attempting to land on a hay field owned by a relative.  He said one of the fence posts bordering the hay field stuck up higher than the others, and the right wing strut struck that post during the landing flare.  The pilot stated he had flown the airplane from the same field earlier in the day.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5433Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5433Z), registered now, S/N 22-9207, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-108
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-907
- Airframe hours: 2856
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jamie L. Holder
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 1994, 36 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 133 total, 42 in this make and model, 101 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19941011039089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941011039089A), Oct 11, 1994: Piper PA22108, Mt Vernon, MO, Substantial damage. Wing struck a fence post while landing in relatives pasture.

## Other investigations on N5433Z (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC69D0125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC69D0125), Jul 21, 1968: Piper PA-22 (N5433Z), Monroeville, PA, substantial damage

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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