# NTSB MKC86LA147: Piper PA-32-300, N56685, West Alton, MO, February 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1986, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: West Alton, MO
- Coordinates: 38.859249, -90.220611 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8592&lon=-90.2206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34211
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34211/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA147

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system - water (cause)
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - performed, pilot in command
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING PREFLIGHT HE CONFIRMED THAT THE ACFT NEEDED FUEL. AFTER REFUELING WAS COMPLETED, THE PLT STATED, THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WATER IN THE FUEL SAMPLES. THE PLT, ALSO AN A&P, TRIED TO CLEAR THE FUEL SYSTEM OF TRAPPED WATER. HE STATED, ENGINE RUNUP, TAKEOFF AND CRUISE FLT WERE UNEVENTFUL UNTIL HALF AN HOUR LATER WHEN THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH AND LOST POWER. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN AN AREA OF HIGH VEGETATION. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED A MILKY SOLUTION OF SOAP AND WATER WAS PRESENT. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ACFT HAD BEEN WASHED JUST PRIOR TO THIS FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N56685 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7440017
- Airframe hours: 1826
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James L.  Charlotte E. Boyd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 1986, 1 hours before
- Departed: 3SQ, ST. CHARLES, MO
- Destination: 3H5, LEBANON, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,125 total, 32 in this make and model, 932 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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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