# NTSB MKC83FA060: Piper PA-28R-201T, N99SJ, Salem, MO, January 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1983, 10:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Salem, MO
- Coordinates: 37.629814, -91.529983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6298&lon=-91.5300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33313
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33313/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA060

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing,spar - overload (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing,spar - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - wing,spar - separation (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE 0910 TELEPHONE WX BRIEFING BY THE ST. LOUIS FSS, THE PLT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS GROUND FOG IN THE SALEM AREA. AT ABOUT 1010 THE PLT DEPARTED FROM RWY 16, MADE A LEFT TURN & CROSSED THE ARPT HEADING NORTH. A WITNESS WHO DROVETHE PLT TO THE ARPT STATED HE WATCHED THE ACFT UNTIL IT WAS OBSCURED BY CLOUDS AS IT CLIMBED. ANOTHER WITNESS, WHO WAS LOCATED ABOUT 1/2 MI EAST OF THE APPROACH END OF RWY 16, STATED HE SAW THE ACFT FLYING NORTH BEFORE IT WAS OBSCURED BY A NEARBY BUILDING. HE THEN HEARD THE ENG REV UP, THEN A CRASH. HE REPORTED THAT THE SKY WAS OVERCAST & GROUND VISIBILITYWAS ABOUT A MILE. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE LEFT OUTER WING SEPARATED AT THE INBOARD EDGE OF THE AILERON. THE EMPENNAGE DISPLAYED EVIDENCE OF LEFT WING IMPACT FORWARD OF THE VERTICAL STABILIZER. THE SPARS & WING SKIN DISPLAYED EVIDENCE OF OVERLOAD FAILURE. THE 0958 WX AT VICHY,MO, LOCATED 34 NM NW OF SALEM, WAS 2 MI IN FOG & HAZE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99SJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99SJ-2013-07-01), registration cancelled 2013-07-01, S/N 28R-7803356, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201T (PA-28R-201)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7803356
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert K. Yocum
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 1983
- Destination: 3 WE, ST. LOUIS, MO
- Airport: K33, Salem Memorial, runway 16, 2,650 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 150 total, 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VIH, 30 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 19830131001829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830131001829A), Jan 31, 1983: Piper PA28R201T, Salem, MO, Destroyed. Lost control shortly after takeoff into clouds and fog. Left wing separated in flight. Indicates spiral dive pullup

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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