# NTSB MKC85FA062: Piper PA-31P, N404RS, Sunset Hills, MO, February 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1985, 19:35 local (Feb 26, 1985, 01:35 UTC)
- Place: Sunset Hills, MO
- Coordinates: 38.530605, -90.420845 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5306&lon=-90.4208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33822
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33822/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA062

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, other crewmember (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), other crewmember (cause)
  - qualification, other crewmember (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - inadequate, other crewmember (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON A NGT INSTRUCTIONAL FLT WITH 2 MULTI-ENG INSTRUCTOR PLTS AT THE CONTROLS & A RATED PLT OCCUPYING A REAR PAX SEAT. THE RGT FNT SEAT OCCUPANT WAS AN EXPERIENCED MULTI-ENG PLT WITH 110 HRS IN THIS MAKE & MODEL; HOWEVER, HIS 2NDCLASS MED CERT WAS ISSUED IN JAN 1983. THE L FNT SEAT OCCUPANT HAD JUST RECEIVED HIS MULTI-ENG INTRUCTOR RATING & HAD ONLY 3 HRS IN THIS MAKE & MODEL. HE HAD A CURRENT MED CERT & WAS PRESUMED TO BE THE PLT-IN-COMMAND. THE AIRCREW MADE 2 PASSES OVER RWY 18, THEN MANUEVERED ONTO A DOWNWIND LEG OF THE PATTERN. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT WAS NORTHEAST OF THE ARPT AT APRX 300 TO 400 FT AGL & MANEUVERING BACK TOWARD THE RWY WHEN IT ENTERED A STEEP DSCNT, CRASHED & BURNED.THE ACFT CRASHED NORTHEAST OF THE ARPT IN A WOODED AREA. IMPACT OCCURRED ON A SOUTHERLY HDG IN ABOUT AN 18 DEG DIVE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FND; HOWEVER, THE ACFT WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED DURING IMPACT. TOX CHECKS OF THE PAX & RGT FNT SEAT OCCUPANTS SHOWED EACH HAD AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.117%. NO ALCOHOL FND IN THE L FNT SEAT OCCUPANT'S BLOOD

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N404RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N404RS-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 31P-18, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31P
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31p) (registry code 7103120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TIGO-541SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tigo-541ser) (registry code 41539, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18
- Airframe hours: 493
- Engines: LYCOMING TIGO-541-E1A 425 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wts, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 10, 1985
- Departed: 3WE, FENTON, MO
- Airport: 3WE, Weiss, runway 18

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,420 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,396 as pilot in command, 162 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUS, 8 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 19850225006019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850225006019A), Feb 25, 1985: Piper PA31P, St Louis, MO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Descended and impacted trees during turn while practicing night approaches to the airport. Burst into flames.

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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