# NTSB MKC86FA189: Piper PA28-151, N44501, Foristell, MO, September 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1986, 05:30 local (10:30 UTC)
- Place: Foristell, MO
- Coordinates: 38.810478, -90.959152 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8105&lon=-90.9592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34077
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86FA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34077/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86FA189

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

RADAR SIGNAL DATA RECORDED THE SUBJ ACFT MOVING NORTHWEST IN A SHALLOW CLIMB. THE TRACK DATA TERMINATED ABT 0538 C.D.T. OR ABT 12 MINUTES INTO THE FLT. A WITNESS NEAR THE VOR STATION STATED HE HEARD AN ACFT FLYING OVERHEAD, ABT THE TIME THE FAA REPORTED LOSING THE SIGNAL FM THE RADAR SCOPE. THE WITNESS LISTENED INTENTLY FOR THE SOUND OF THE ACFT ENG WITH EXPECTATION OF THE SOUND TO FADE INTO THE DISTANCE, BUT HE DID NOT HEAR ADDITIONAL ENG SOUND. WX COND'S FOR THE AREA CONSISTED OF MARGINAL VFR AND IFR CONDITION WITH THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY MOVING INTO THE ST. LOUIS AREA. ACCORDING TO AVAILABLE PERSONAL FLT RCRDS, THE PIC WAS NOT PROPERLY QUALIFIED IN INSTRUMENT FLT COND'S AND WAS NOT CURRENT FOR FLT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL COND'S. THE ACFT ACCIDENT EXAM DID NOT REVEAL ANY PRE-IMPACT FLT CONTROL PBLMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N44501 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-151
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7415649
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert D. Grice Sr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3WE, FENTON, MO
- Destination: IRK, KIRKSVILLE, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,740 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUS, 16 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 19860916045259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860916045259A), Sep 16, 1986: Piper PA28151, Foristell, MO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft impacted a pond at high speed. Suspect pilot became disoriented at night in foggy conditions.

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.