# NTSB MKC83FA046: Piper PA-28R-201T, N2941Q, Bates City, MO, December 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1982, 19:35 local (Dec 27, 1982, 01:35 UTC)
- Place: Bates City, MO
- Coordinates: 39.000408, -94.070602 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0004&lon=-94.0706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69887
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69887/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA046

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, unknown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - overload (contributing factor)
  - wing - separation (contributing factor)
  - flight control,stabilator - overload (contributing factor)
  - flight control,stabilator - separation (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ABOUT 8 MI EAST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT TOOK OFF ON A DARK NIGHT WITH FOG AND A LOW CEILING. THE WEATHER AT THE NEAREST REPORTING STATION WAS IN PART: 600 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 6 MI WITH FOG. ANOTHER PILOT ESTIMATED THAT THE CEILING WAS 800 TO 1000 FT AND THE VISIBILITY WAS 3 TO 4 MI. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE LEFT WING AND STABILATOR HAD SEPARATED IN FLIGHT. A WITNESS NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE HEARD WHAT SOUNDED TO HIM LIKE A SMALL PLANE PERFORMING AEROBATICS. HE REPORTED THAT THESE SOUNDS WERE FOLLOWED BY A "BACKFIRE", THEN A THUD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2941Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201T (PA-28R-201)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7703081
- Airframe hours: 3196
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-F 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John F. Hastert
- Registered owner: John F. Hastert
- Departed: 3GV, GRAIN VALLEY, MO
- Destination: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 354 total, 86 in this make and model, 283 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GVW, 23 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 19821226066859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821226066859A), Dec 26, 1982: Piper PA28R201T, Bates City, MO, Destroyed. Pilot attempted flight in adverse weather conditions. Crash occurred few minutes after takeoff.

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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