# NTSB MKC88FA041: Piper PA-31T-620, N200RS, Hazelwood, MO, January 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1988, 19:03 local (Jan 19, 1988, 01:03 UTC)
- Place: Hazelwood, MO
- Coordinates: 38.77095, -90.350517 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7709&lon=-90.3505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34482
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34482/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA041

## Probable cause

PROPER GLIDE PATH NOT MAINTAINED BY P.I.C., DECISION HEIGHT NOT IDENTIFIED BY THE P.I.C., MISSED APPROACH NOT PERFORMED BY THE P.I.C. TURNING ON LIGHTS IN OVERCAST.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - object - residence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)

## Analysis

THE PAX SAID THAT THE APPROACH APPEARED NORMAL UNTIL THE PILOT TURNED ON THE LDG LIGHTS WHILE IN THE OVERCAST. SECONDS AFTER, THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES, CAREENING OUT OF CONTROL, AND SNAPPING POWER LINES; THEN STRIKING A HOUSE ROOF BEFORE COMING TO REST ON THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO BURN AS IT WENT THROUGH THE POWER LINES. THE WEATHER AT THE TIME WAS AT OR ABOVE IFR LANDING MINIMUMS. THE FLIGHT HAD BEEN IN A HOLDING PATTERN FOR FORTY FIVE MINUTES PRIOR TO COMMENCING THE APPROACH. ALL OF THE AIRCRAFT'S SYSTEMS AND POWERPLANTS, AS WELL AS THE FAA APPROACH FACILITIES, WERE DETERMINED TO BE IN WORKING ORDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N200RS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N200RS-1997-08-18), registration cancelled 1997-08-18, S/N 31T7520011 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31T-620
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t) (registry code 7103124) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31T-7520011
- Engines: P&W PT-6A-28 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robinson Foundry, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ALX, ALEXANDER CITY, AL
- Destination: UIN, QUINCY, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: STL, Lambert-St. Louis, runway 12, 9,003 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 14,000 total, 400 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 13 knots
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STL

## 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 19880118000579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880118000579A), Jan 18, 1988: Piper PA31T, St Louis, MO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Became too low on ILS approach hit trees wires and a residence and burned. Pilot had severe atherosclerosis.

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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