# NTSB MKC89LA180: Piper PA-22-150, N7136B, St. Clair, MO, August 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1989, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: St. Clair, MO
- Coordinates: 38.349552, -90.979537 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3496&lon=-90.9795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34848/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA180

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO ESTABLISH A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB DUE TO THE MISJUDGED WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - terrain condition - grass
  - climb - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM A PVT GRASS STRIP OF ABOUT 2000 FEET IN LENGTH, THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO ESTABLISH A POSITIVE CLIMB, AND SETTLED BACK TO THE TERRAIN. THE FINAL DESTINATION WAS TO BE FAIRBANKS, ALASKA, FOR A HUNTING TRIP. THE ACFT WAS LOADED WITH BAGGAGE, HUNTING GEAR, FIREARMS, PILOT AND TWO ADULT PASSENGERS. THE ACFT HAD BEEN CONVERTED TO A TAIL WHEEL CONFIGURATION AND IN ADDITION WAS EQUIPPED WITH LARGE, OVERSIZE, 'TUNDRA TYPE' TIRES. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MECHANICAL OR FUEL SUPPLY MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7136B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7136B-2014-11-13), registration cancelled 2014-11-13, S/N 22-4355, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 224355
- Airframe hours: 1976
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Landing, Jerry D.
- Registered owner: Douglas, Cecil G
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1989, 33 hours before
- Departed: NONE, ST. CLAIR, MO
- Destination: FAIRBANKS, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE, runway 35, 2,600 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,112 total, 28 in this make and model, 82 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUS, 40 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 19890814029259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890814029259A), Aug 14, 1989: Piper STCPA22, St Clair, MO, Substantial damage. Over gross weight and aft CG unable to climb out of grass strip stalled, recovered too late.

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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