# NTSB MKC89FA090: Piper J-3, N23227, Oak Grove, MO, April 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1989, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Oak Grove, MO
- Coordinates: 38.999187, -94.120269 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9992&lon=-94.1203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89FA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA090

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO TAKEOFF WITH THE AIRCRAFT OVER ITS ALLOWABLE TAKEOFF WEIGHT AND OUT OF THE CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMITS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED AT A UNIDIRECTIONAL STRIP THAT REQUIRED LANDINGS TO THE SOUTH & TAKEOFFS TO THE NORTH (DUE TO A HILL NEAR THE SOUTH END OF THE STRIP).  LATER, HE INITIATED A TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH WITH A PASSENGER ABOARD.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE 1320' GRASS STIP & CRASHED.  THE PLT & PASSENGER WEIGHED 230 & 190 LBS,RESPECTIVELY.  WEIGHT & BALANCE INFO INDCD THAT ANY FUEL IN EXCESS OF APRX 4 GAL WOULD HAVE PLACED THE ACFT OVER THE ALLOWABLE TAKEOFF WT & THE ACFT'S CG WELL AFT OF THE ALLOWABLE LIMIT.  THE ACFT HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY SHORTENING THE WINGS, ADDING AN ADNL FUEL TANK TO EACH WING, & REPLACING THE CONTINENTAL C-65 ENG WITH A CONTINENTAL O-200-A ENG. ABOUT 23 MI WSW AT RICHARDS-GEBAUR ARPT,  THE WIND WAS FROM 190 DEG AT 8 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N23227](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23227-1991-05-31), registration cancelled 1991-05-31, S/N 2994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3041
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Riley, Charles
- Registered owner: Karr, Jerry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MO
- Airport: Private, runway 36, 1,320 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 265 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GVW, 23 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 19890414010309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890414010309A), Apr 14, 1989: Piper STCJ3, Oak Grove, MO, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Trying to take off downwind and over gross from short tall grass strip, struck trees. No medical or biennial.

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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