# NTSB MKC89LA125: Piper PA-28, N3952K, Bolivar, MO, June 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1989, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Bolivar, MO
- Coordinates: 37.600692, -93.410102 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6007&lon=-93.4101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA125

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE TALL GRASS, INADEQUATE RUNWAY MAINTENANCE, AND TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - runway maintenance - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE BEGAN A SOFT/SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF, BUT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE DUE TO TALL GRASS AND FIELD CONDITIONS. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF WHEN HE BELIEVED THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT REACH FLYING SPEED. HE TRIED TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE HITTING TREES NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY, BUT WAS UNABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3952K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3952K), registered now, S/N 28-23829 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23829
- Airframe hours: 2578
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ferguson, Larry
- Registered owner: Ferguson, Larry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 19, 1988, 34 hours before
- Departed: H29
- Airport: H29, Bolivar, runway 19, 2,490 × 255 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 194 total, 54 in this make and model, 141 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SGF, 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 19890603015539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890603015539A), Jun 3, 1989: Piper PA28140, Bolivar, MO, Substantial damage. Tried to takeoff on an unmowed strip. Unable to accelerate. Aborted too late and collided with trees.

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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