# NTSB MKC85LA009: Piper PA32RT-300T, N75DR, Columbia, MO, October 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1984, 22:56 local (Oct 26, 1984, 03:56 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, MO
- Coordinates: 38.94981, -92.319732 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9498&lon=-92.3197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33879
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33879/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA009

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS HIGH ON THE ILS APPROACH AND FLEW A VFR VERY LOW CIRCLING APPROACH AFTER CLEARANCE TO CHANGE FROM RWY 2 TO RWY 20. THE TOWER CONTROLLER SAID THE ACFT WAS SO LOW THAT AT ONE POINT HE LOST SIGHT OF THE ACFT. HE ADVISED THE PLT THAT HE APPEARED TO BE LOW. THE PLT ALSO SAID THAT HE WAS LOW ON FINAL AND COULD SEE RED ON THE VASI. A TREE LINE ISLOCATED 3500 FT FROM THE APPROACH END OF RWY 20. THESE TREES ARE ABOUT 50 FT TALL AND THE ACFT CONTACTED THEM AT ABOUT 34 FT AGL. THE NIGHT WAS DARK BUT THE VISIBILITY WAS REPORTED TO BE 5 MILES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75DR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75DR), registered now, S/N 32R-7887163, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32RT-300T (PA32RT-300)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300t) (registry code 7103216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7887163
- Airframe hours: 1140
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dale L. Ritterbusch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1983, 90 hours before
- Departed: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Destination: COU, COLUMBIA, MO
- Airport: COU, Columbia, runway 20, 6,499 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,280 total, 457 in this make and model, 1,080 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COU

## 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 19841025059839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841025059839A), Oct 25, 1984: Piper PA32RT300T, Columbia, MO, Substantial damage. Struck a tree after exiting a cloud during a circling approach. Landed safely. Altimeter not set properly.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.