# NTSB MKC88LA017: Piper PA-24-250, N6644P, Des Moines, IA, November 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1987, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Des Moines, IA
- Coordinates: 41.569564, -93.749244 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5696&lon=-93.7492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34521
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34521/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA017

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

APPROX EIGHT MILES FROM THE DEST ARPT, THE PIC EXPERIENCED PARTIAL, THEN A COMPLETE POWER LOSS. AN EMERGENCY LNDG WAS MADE ON A GOLF COURSE, ABOUT ONE MILE SHORT OF THE DEST ARPT. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED NO FUEL IN ANY OF THE FOUR TANKS. DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE WINGS, GEAR, PROP, AND NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING LANDING ON THE ROUGH SOD ADJACENT TO THE FAIRWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6644P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6644P-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 24-1766, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1677
- Airframe hours: 2666
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kwc Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1987
- Departed: K29, GRUNNEL, IA
- Destination: DSM, DES MOINES, IA
- Airport: Des Moines Muni, runway 30, 9,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,428 total, 257 in this make and model, 1,225 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 2 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 19871113064909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871113064909A), Nov 13, 1987: Piper STCPA24, Des Moines, IA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on a 3 mile final. Crash landed on a golf course.

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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