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NTSB Report
May 2, 1990 · Piper PA-28-151 · N3986X
St. Louis, MO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 2, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
St. Louis, MO
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-151
Tail Number
N3986X
Operator
D & a Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC90LA100
THE COMMERCIAL PLT HAD JUST DEPARTED FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT ON RUNWAY 8L, AND SHORTLY AFTER DEVELOPED ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH ROUGHNESS AND BACKFIRING. THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN AND LAND ON 26R. A DOWNWIND LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED THAT RESULTED IN AN OVERRAN AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT THE SPARK PLUGS HAD BEEN SERVICED DUE TO ROUGHNESS, AND POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLUGS TO BE FOULED.
NTSB Probable Cause
INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT NOT ATTAINED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.
Full Narrative
THE COMMERCIAL PLT HAD JUST DEPARTED FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT ON RUNWAY 8L, AND SHORTLY AFTER DEVELOPED ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH ROUGHNESS AND BACKFIRING. THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND WAS GIVEN PERMISSION TO MAKE A 180 DEGREE TURN AND LAND ON 26R. A DOWNWIND LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED THAT RESULTED IN AN OVERRAN AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT THE SPARK PLUGS HAD BEEN SERVICED DUE TO ROUGHNESS, AND POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLUGS TO BE FOULED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:48 CDT
Nearest AirportSpirit Of St. Louis (0nm N)
Runway26
Runway Length3800 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-151
Tail NumberN3986X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorD & a Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E3D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC