# NTSB MKC81FCA01: Piper PA-38, N6342A, Chesterfield, MO, October 1, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 1, 1981
- Place: Chesterfield, MO · CHESTERFIELD, MO
- Location: 38.6631° N, 90.5771° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chesterfield, MO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6631&lon=-90.5771&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 26, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC81FCA01
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81FCA01-123212

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2250   81/10/1   CHESTERFIELD,MO     PIPER PA-38         CR-  0  0  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             STUDENT, AGE 35, 23 TOTAL
        TIME - 1748                    N6342A              PX-  0  0  0  TRAINING                  HOURS, ALL IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SPIRIT ST LOUIS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CHESTERFIELD,MO             LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: CLIMB TO CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INATTENTIVE TO FUEL SUPPLY
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- PSND FUEL SEL BACK TO EMPTY TNK AFTER ATMTG TO START ENG.STRUCK UTILITY POLE DRG LNDG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6342A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6342A-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 38-78A0390, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Spirit St Louis

## 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 19811001067109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19811001067109A), Oct 1, 1981: Piper PA38112, Chesterfield, MO, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit pole during emergency landing. Fuel selector on empty tank.

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.