# NTSB MKC89LA108: Piper PA-28-180, N7741W, Moberly, MO, May 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1989, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Moberly, MO
- Coordinates: 39.410209, -92.429817 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4102&lon=-92.4298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA108

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ON TAKEOFF GROUND RUN. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS LACK OF CONTROL WERE WIND GUSTS FROM DUST DEVILS IN THE AREA, THERMAL ACTIVITY, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

DURING THE CONTINUATION OF A STUDENT SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY FLT, WHILE ON A TAKEOFF GROUND RUN, THE ACFT VEERED ABRUPTLY TO THE LEFT AND A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL RESULTED. THE ACFT TRAVELED OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. THE PLT AND WITNESSES STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS DUST DEVILS IN THE AREA ALONG WITH THERMAL ACTIVITY. THE PLT FELT THAT THE WEATHER CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS OF CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENT CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7741W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7741W-1990-03-30), registration cancelled 1990-03-30, S/N 281750 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1801750
- Airframe hours: 2145
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Wundrack, Bruce M
- Registered owner: Wundrack, Bruce M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1988, 92 hours before
- Departed: MBY, MOBERLY, MO
- Destination: H23, BLUE MOUND, IL
- Airport: MBY, Omar Bradley, runway 5, 3,720 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 42 total, 42 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COU, 30 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 19890511011589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890511011589A), May 11, 1989: Piper PA28180, Moberly, MO, Substantial damage. Aircraft veered off runway on takeoff. Student blames a whirlwind for control loss. Too much wind for a student.

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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