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NTSB Report
April 14, 1989 · Piper J-3 · N23227
Oak Grove, MO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 14, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Oak Grove, MO
Aircraft
Piper J-3
Tail Number
N23227
Operator
Riley Charles
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC89FA090
THE PLT LANDED AT A UNIDIRECTIONAL STRIP THAT REQUIRED LANDINGS TO THE SOUTH & TAKEOFFS TO THE NORTH (DUE TO A HILL NEAR THE SOUTH END OF THE STRIP). LATER, HE INITIATED A TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH WITH A PASSENGER ABOARD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE 1320' GRASS STIP & CRASHED. THE PLT & PASSENGER WEIGHED 230 & 190 LBS,RESPECTIVELY. WEIGHT & BALANCE INFO INDCD THAT ANY FUEL IN EXCESS OF APRX 4 GAL WOULD HAVE PLACED THE ACFT OVER THE ALLOWABLE TAKEOFF WT & THE ACFT'S CG WELL AFT OF THE ALLOWABLE LIMIT. THE ACFT HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY SHORTENING THE WINGS, ADDING AN ADNL FUEL TANK TO EACH WING, & REPLACING THE CONTINENTAL C-65 ENG WITH A CONTINENTAL O-200-A ENG. ABOUT 23 MI WSW AT RICHARDS-GEBAUR ARPT, THE WIND WAS FROM 190 DEG AT 8 KTS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO TAKEOFF WITH THE AIRCRAFT OVER ITS ALLOWABLE TAKEOFF WEIGHT AND OUT OF THE CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMITS.
Full Narrative
THE PLT LANDED AT A UNIDIRECTIONAL STRIP THAT REQUIRED LANDINGS TO THE SOUTH & TAKEOFFS TO THE NORTH (DUE TO A HILL NEAR THE SOUTH END OF THE STRIP). LATER, HE INITIATED A TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH WITH A PASSENGER ABOARD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE 1320' GRASS STIP & CRASHED. THE PLT & PASSENGER WEIGHED 230 & 190 LBS,RESPECTIVELY. WEIGHT & BALANCE INFO INDCD THAT ANY FUEL IN EXCESS OF APRX 4 GAL WOULD HAVE PLACED THE ACFT OVER THE ALLOWABLE TAKEOFF WT & THE ACFT'S CG WELL AFT OF THE ALLOWABLE LIMIT. THE ACFT HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY SHORTENING THE WINGS, ADDING AN ADNL FUEL TANK TO EACH WING, & REPLACING THE CONTINENTAL C-65 ENG WITH A CONTINENTAL O-200-A ENG. ABOUT 23 MI WSW AT RICHARDS-GEBAUR ARPT, THE WIND WAS FROM 190 DEG AT 8 KTS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:50 CDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length1320 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J-3
Tail NumberN23227
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRiley Charles
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:56
Weather SourceWFAC