# NTSB MKC87FA030: Piper PA-28-151, N44291, Grain Valley, MO, December 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1986, 18:45 local (Dec 11, 1986, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Grain Valley, MO
- Coordinates: 39.000434, -94.199676 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0004&lon=-94.1997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34274/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA030

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - high terrain

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7415615
- Airframe hours: 2758
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 45; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19861210068229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861210068229A), Dec 10, 1986: Piper STCPA28, Grain Valley, MO, Destroyed. Aircraft hit trees after engine lost power on takeoff. Spark plugs lead fouled by auto gas. Over max gross weight.

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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