# NTSB MKC90FA082: Piper PA-31-350, N6KG, Bois D'Arc, MO, April 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1990, 20:44 local (Apr 14, 1990, 01:44 UTC)
- Place: Bois D'Arc, MO
- Coordinates: 37.210483, -93.550376 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2105&lon=-93.5504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34881
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90FA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34881/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90FA082

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION, DARKNESS, LOW CEILING, AND FOG.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT-RATED PLT DEPARTED SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI AT NIGHT ON A VFR FLT TO MT VERNON, MISSOURI. AFTER TAKING OFF FROM RWY 20, A RIGHT TURN WAS MADE FOR A CLIMB TO 3000 FT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, TOWER PERSONNEL LOST RADAR CONTACT WITH THE ACFT & NOTIFIED THE FAA RGNL OPN CENTER. THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 7 MI SW OF THE ARPT. A WITNESS RPRTD SEEING AN ACFT DSCND OUT OF LOW CLOUDS IN THE AREA, BUT DID NOT SEE THE ACTUAL CRASH. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT CRASHED ON AN EASTERLY HEADING, WHILE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. IMPACT OCCURRED IN A LEFT WING DOWN, NOSE LOW ATTITIDE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND. ALSO, NO RECORD OF A PREFLIGHT WX BRIEFING WAS FND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6KG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6KG-1990-10-30), registration cancelled 1990-10-30, S/N 317952215 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7952215
- Airframe hours: 2737
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mount Vernon Fireplaces, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 31, 1989, 48 hours before
- Departed: SGF, SPRINGFIELD, MO
- Destination: MO20, MT VERNON, MO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SGF, Springfield Rgnl, runway 20, 7,003 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SGF

## 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 19900414008889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900414008889A), Apr 14, 1990: Piper PA31350, Springfield, MO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Appears pilot lost control at night in IMC climbing after takeoff. Level of IFR skill or competency in type unknown

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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