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February 18, 1994 · Piper PA-39 · N8913Y

Viburnum, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 18, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Viburnum, MO
Aircraft
Piper PA-39
Tail Number
N8913Y
Operator
Shapiro Brothers
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI94DCA01

WITNESSES DESCRIBED THE AIRPLANE ENTERING A VERY STEEP LEFT TURN FROM A BASE LEG TO RUNWAY 27. THE TURN WAS DESCRIBED AS APPROACHING A 90 DEG BANK ANGLE, WITH THE AIRPLANE PITCHING NOSE DOWN, ROLLING INVERTED AND TWISTING AS IT DESCENDED STEEPLY TO IMPACT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE TURN TO FINAL. THE GUSTY TAILWIND DURING THE TURN WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

Full Narrative

History of Flight On February 18, 1994, at 1117 central standard time, a Piper PA39, N8913Y, operated as a business aircraft by Shapiro Brothers, Inc., of Festus, Missouri, impacted the ground 1/2 mile east of runway 27 while making a visual approach at Viburnum Airport, Viburnam, Missouri. The aircraft was destroyed and the instrument rated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Winds were 170 degrees at 16 knots gusting to 22 knots. No flight plan was on file. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from Festus, Missouri, at 1030 hours. Witnesses described the airplane entering a very steep left turn from a left base leg to runway 27. The turn was described as approaching 90 degrees angle of bank, with the airplane pitching nose down, rolling inverted and twisting as it descended steeply to impact the ground. Wreckage and Impact Information The airplane heading at impact was 080 degrees magnetic. There was little disturbance to the surrounding vegetation. The airplane nose and wing leading edges were deformed up and aft. Both nacelles were displaced up and aft several inches. The empennage was deflected down aft of the wing trailing edge. The vertical and horizontal stabilizers had some skin wrinkling, but little evidence of ground impact. Both propellers displayed forward bending, chordwise dirt streaks and had dug into the ground, burying the spinners. No engine anomolies were found. No control anomolies were found. Fuel was present at the scene, and all tanks were ruptured. Fuel was found in the lines to both engines. Pathological Information Toxicology tests were negative. An autopsy was performed at the Jefferson Memorial Hospital, Crystal City, Missouri. Cause of death was listed as extensive trauma.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:17 CST
Nearest AirportVIBURNAM (1nm E)
Runway27
Runway Length3195 ft
Runway Width47 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-39
Tail NumberN8913Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorShapiro Brothers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 79 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 16 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data