# NTSB MKC85LA159: Piper PA-28, N5424W, Springfield, MO, July 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1985, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, MO
- Coordinates: 37.279411, -93.289543 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2794&lon=-93.2895&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): 33989
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33989/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA159

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A WX BRIEFING, THE PLT WAS ADVISED OF POSSIBLE THUNDERSTORMS AT HIS DESTINATION. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE WAS TOLD THAT THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY AT HIS DESTINATION WAS CONFIRMED BY RADAR. DURING THE LAST 40 MIN OF THE FLT, THE PLT FLEW PAST APRX 15 ARPTS WHERE HE COULD HAVE LANDED IN VFR CONDITIONS. DURING ARRIVAL, THE ARPT WAS WELL BELOW VFR MINIMUMS. SINCE THE ACFT WAS LOW ON FUEL, THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A FIELD. DURING THE ROLL-OUT THE ACFT STRUCK A BARBED WIRE FENCE & TWO FENCE POSTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5424W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5424W-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N 28-496, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28) (registry code 7102801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28496
- Airframe hours: 3241
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Koerner Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 1984, 57 hours before
- Departed: ABI, ABILENE, TX
- Destination: SGF, SPRINGFIELD, MO
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,500 total, 99 in this make and model, 5,350 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPG, 7 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 19850715031289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850715031289A), Jul 15, 1985: Piper PA28*, Springfield, MO, Substantial damage. Landed in field when fuel became low in area of heavy thunderstorms. Had passed 15 airports in previous 40 minutes.

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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