# NTSB CHI97LA249: Beech A36, N4640M, Chesterfield, MO, August 4, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1997, 19:30 local (Aug 4, 1997, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Chesterfield, MO
- Coordinates: 38.650848, -90.530364 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6508&lon=-90.5304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10663/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA249

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment on the taxiway.  Factors associated with the accident were the fence post, and the sunglare, which hindered the pilot's ability to see the fence post.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - object - fence post (contributing factor)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

During taxi after landing, the left wing of the airplane contacted a 6 inch diameter fence post at a position 4 feet inboard of the left wingtip. The post had been installed on a private taxiway as part of a gate to enclose a private hangar area. The post was located adjacent to the pavement as was another post on the other side of the taxiway. Clearance between the posts was 38 feet 5 inches. The airplane's wing span was 33 feet 6 inches. The pilot was unaware of the posts and was taxiing into the setting sun.

## Factual narrative

On August 3, 1997, at 1930 central daylight time (cdt), a Beech A36, N4640M, operated by a commercial pilot collided with a steel post while taxiing after having landed at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, Chesterfield, Missouri.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.  The airplane received substantial damage to the left wing.  The pilot and five passengers were not injured.  The flight originated from Osage Beach, Missouri, at 1830 cdt.

The pilot was taxiing on a private taxiway when the left wing contacted a 6 inch diameter steel fence post which had recently been erected.  The portion of the wing which contacted the post was about 4 feet inboard of the left wingtip.

The fence post had been installed as part of a gate to enclose a private hangar area.  The fence post was located adjacent to the pavement as was another post on the other side of the taxiway.  The clearance between the posts was 38 feet 5 inches.  The wing span of N4640M was 33 feet 6 inches.

The pilot reported that the posts had been installed sometime after he had departed the airport on the previous day.  He also stated that he was taxing into the setting sun which hindered his vision.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4640M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Beech A36
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-1248
- Airframe hours: 4890
- Engines: Continental IO-520-BB 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert J. Lipsitz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1996, 533 hours before
- Departed: K15, OSAGE BEACH, MO
- Destination: SUS
- Airport: SUS, Spirit Of St Louis

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,580 total, 350 in this make and model, 2,556 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19970804021349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970804021349A), Aug 4, 1997: Beech A36, Chesterfield, MO, Substantial damage. Aircrft struck a steel fence post while taxiing.

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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