# NTSB MKC86LA062: Piper PA-31-325, N111MM, St. Louis, MO, February 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1986, 19:30 local (Feb 21, 1986, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: St. Louis, MO
- Coordinates: 38.530418, -90.450912 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5304&lon=-90.4509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34138
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34138/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA062

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, circling (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

N111MM COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A NIGHT, CIRCLING APP IN IMC. THE PLT SAID HE LOST SIGHT OF THE RWY MOMENTARILY DURING HIS TURN TO FINAL. HE ROLLED WINGS LEVEL AND SAW A TREE AHEAD. AS HE ROLLED RT TO AVOID THAT TREE HIS RT WING HIT ANOTHER TREE. THE ACFT CONTINUED THE APP TO A SAFE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N111MM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N111MM-1992-12-24), registration cancelled 1992-12-24, S/N 317512011 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-325
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-325](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-325) (registry code 7103105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7512011
- Airframe hours: 4571
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-F2BD 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Midwest Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1985, 47 hours before
- Departed: ILG, WILMINGTON, DE
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 3WE, Weiss, runway 36, 3,040 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,455 total, 3,040 in this make and model, 82 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STL, 12 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 19860220004899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860220004899A), Feb 20, 1986: Piper PA31325, St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. Descended too soon on a circling approach, momentarily lost sight of the runway, struck a tree but landed safely.

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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