- Date
- December 10, 1986, 18:45 local (Dec 11, 1986, 00:45 UTC)
- Place
- Grain Valley, MO
- Injuries
- 2 serious, 2 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N44291Piper PA-28-151
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/bright
- Status
- Completed · report January 25, 1988
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19861210068229A
- Case key
- 34274
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot stated, after takeoff the engine sputtered and began losing power during initial climb. According to the pilot, he tried to land on a highway but there were numerous vehicles in transit and he decided to attempt an off-airport landing. On initial impact with the right wing, the aircraft tore off a branch from a tree, then struck a grassy knoll with the right wing tip. Main impact occurred with a branch of a second tree and the aircraft came to rest inverted. Post accident calculations revealed that the aircraft was 67 pounds over the max allowable gross weight, and within the c.g. range during takeoff. A subsequent engine teardown inspection revealed no preexisting condition, malfunction, or abnormal wear. According to witnesses at the airport, the pilot was observed attempting to remove frost from the wings and was running the engine at idle for almost 30 minutes before takeoff was initiated. Carburetor heat was found in the off position.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N44291
- Reported as
- Piper PA-28-151
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 28-7415615
- Airframe hours
- 2,758
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-E3D, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Edward L. Stanger
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · December 4, 1985 · 128 hours before
- Departed
- 3GV · Grain Valley, MO
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 45
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 79 total · 79 in this make and model · 40 as pilot in command · 32 in the last 90 days · 9 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/bright
- Wind
- 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 30 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- MKC, 19 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.