# NTSB MKC88LA060: Piper PA-32-260, N7703J, Mound City, MO, March 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1988, 05:00 local (11:00 UTC)
- Place: Mound City, MO
- Coordinates: 40.130802, -95.230644 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1308&lon=-95.2306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34545
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34545/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA060

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PIC, AFTER AN EARLIER LNDG AT TARKIO, MISSOURI AND AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO REACH HIS FISHING PARTNER, FLEW HIS ACFT TO AND LANDED AT ST. JOSEPH ROSECRANS ARPT.  AFTER CONTACTING HIS FRIEND, AND CATCHING A FEW HOURS OF SLEEP, THE PIC MADE AN EARLY MORNING DEPARTURE FOR TARKIO, LOCATED NORTHWEST OF ST. JOSEPH.  THE PIC RPTD FOG FORMING DURING THE FLT AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE TARKIO ARPT WAS NOT MADE.  AFTER 2 ATTEMPTS TO LOCATE THE ARPT THE PIC MODIFIED HIS COURSE TO LAND AT ANOTHER ARPT HE HAD SPOTTED EARLIER.  THE PIC RPTD THAT FOG HAD NOW OBSCURED THAT ARPT AND HE TURNED AND HEADED SOUTHWEST.  AS A LAST RESORT THE PIC PLANNED TO ATTEMPT A LNDG ON THE INTERSTATE HWY NEAR MOUND CITY.  THE PIC RPTD EXHAUSTING HIS FUEL SUPPLY BEFORE REACHING THE INTERSTATE AND A FORCED LNDG WAS EXECUTED TO A FIELD NORTHWEST OF MOUND CITY, MISSOURI.  THE PIC STATED HE HAD KNOWLEDGE OF THE POTENTIAL OF ENCOUNTERING DETERIORATING WX BUT PRESSED ON KNOWING HIS DEST WAS ONLY 20 MINUTES AWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7703J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7703J-2020-02-13), registration cancelled 2020-02-13, S/N 32-1070, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-1070
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alfred Mayfield
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: STJ, ST. JOSEPH, MO
- Destination: K57, TARKIO, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 39 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19880306004559I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880306004559I), Mar 6, 1988: Piper PA32260, Mound City, MO, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion. Landed in a corn field. Ground fog developed at destination. Unable to find another airport.

## Other investigations on N7703J (2)

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.

- [NTSB CEN20LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA018), Nov 9, 2019: Piper PA32 (N7703J), Houston, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to select the proper fuel tank before departure, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB MIA75DLA39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75DLA39), Apr 27, 1975: Piper PA-32 (N7703J), Gainesville, FL, substantial damage

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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