# NTSB MKC83FA081: Piper PA-24-400, N8611P, Salem, MO, March 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1983, 19:00 local (Mar 27, 1983, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Salem, MO
- Coordinates: 37.630653, -91.529464 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6307&lon=-91.5295&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): 33322
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33322/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA081

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT DEPARTED DEXTER, MO AT APRX DUSK ON A VFR, NO-FLT-PLAN FLT TO HOUSTON, MO. TIME REQUIRED FOR THE FLT WOULD HAVE BEEN APRX 30 MIN (ESTIMATED). AT 1900 CST, THE BUNKER, MO CITY MARSHAL REPORTED THAT AN ACFT FLEW OVER BUNKER SO LOW THAT HE THOUGHT IT WOULD HIT THE WATER TOWER. APRX 1/2 HR LATER, ANOTHER PERSON REPORTED A LOW FLYING PLANE OVER HIGHWAY 72 NEAR BUNKER. NEAR THE SAME TIME, CAMPERS BETWEEN BUNKER & SALEM, MO SAW A LOW FLYING PLANE CIRCLE AT ABOUT TREE TOP LEVEL, THEN DEPART TO THE NORTHWEST. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THEY HEARD A POPPING SOUND & THE THE ENG NOISE QUIT ABRUPTLY. THE ACFT WAS FOUND THE NEXT DAY WHERE IT HAD IMPACTED WITH TREES APRX 30 FT AGL, THEN CAME TO REST AT THE BASES OF 2 LARGE TREES. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WERE AREAS OF IMC ALONG THE ROUTES & THE PLT HAD BEEN CAUTIONED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE SEARCH FOR THE ACFT HAD BEEN DELAYED DUE TO DARKNESS & THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8611P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-400
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 26-139
- Airframe hours: 1137
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1B 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tool Industties Of Fl, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 1982, 52 hours before
- Departed: M43, DEXTER, MO
- Destination: M48, HOUSTON, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Observed at: VIH, 60 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 19830326012499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830326012499A), Mar 26, 1983: Piper PA24400, Salem, MO, Destroyed. Lost control in IMC at dark night. Hit tree at a high velocity. Not given sigmets but advised VFR not recommended

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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