# NTSB MKC85FA180: Ryan ST-A, N17351, Versailles, MO, August 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1985, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Versailles, MO
- Coordinates: 38.429241, -92.839965 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4292&lon=-92.8400&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): 33849
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33849/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA180

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT OF ANOTHER (ACCOMPANYING) ACFT, HAD BRIEFED THE PLT OF N17351, ON WX THAT COULD BE EXPECTED EN ROUTE. INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING THE OTHER ACFT AS HE HAD BEEN BRIEFED, THE PLT OF N17351 GOT IN THE LEAD. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE WAS OBSERVED TO FLY UNDER THE EDGE OF CLOUDS FROM WHICH HE DID NOT RETURN. A GROUND WITNESS SAW HIM COME OUT OF A LOW CEILING IN APRX A 45 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & IMPACT IN AN OPEN FIELD. NEITHER THE ACFT NOR THE PLT WERE CERTIFIED FOR FLT IN INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17351](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17351), registered now, S/N 154, built 1937 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ryan ST-A
- Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st-a) (registry code 7830402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Menasco PIRATE C4 D4](https://openairdocs.org/engine/menasco-pirate-c4-d4) (registry code 43504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 193
- Airframe hours: 541
- Engines: MENASCO PIRATE C4S 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sam Appleby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 1985, 1 hours before
- Departed: 2K2, SPRINGFIELD, MO
- Destination: M84, BOONVILLE, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 800 total, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COU, 38 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 19850810062849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850810062849A), Aug 10, 1985: Ryan STA, Versailles, MO, Destroyed. VFR pilot flew into IFR conditions. Aircraft impacted ground in nose down wings level attitude with high speed.

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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