NTSB Factual Report

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.

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.