# NTSB MKC90LA148: Piper PA28-151, N555TT, Columbia, MO, July 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1990, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, MO
- Coordinates: 38.949066, -92.319564 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9491&lon=-92.3196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35017/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA148

## Probable cause

AIRCRAFT CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED RESULTING IN A STALL/MUSH BY THE PIC.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - sand bar (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE BEING OBSERVED FLYING LOW, BUZZING, LANDING ON A SANDBAR, AND GIVING RIDES TO FRIENDS, THE PVT PILOT DEPARTED. HE MADE A STEEP PULL-UP TURNAROUND, FAILED TO FLARE, THEN COLLIDED WITH THE SANDBAR. THE AIRCRAFT CAREENED INTO THE MAIN CHANNEL OF THE RIVER. THE PLT WAS ABLE TO EXTRICATE HIMSELF FROM THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT SANK. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT RECOVERED FROM THE RIVER AND IS CONSIDERED LOST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N555TT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N555TT-1990-07-15), registration cancelled 1990-07-15, S/N 287515241 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7515241
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Central Missouri Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: JEF, JEFFERSON CITY, MO
- Destination: JEF

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 346 total, 24 in this make and model, 292 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: COU, 8 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 19900715025779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900715025779A), Jul 15, 1990: Piper PA28151, Mcbain, MO, Destroyed. Buzzed friends on a river sandbar and boats on river. Hit sandbar on last pass bounced into river.

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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