What happened
The Piper PA-28-140 was departing the Kansas City, Missouri area on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight without a filed flight plan to Warrensburg, Missouri. According to witness accounts, the airplane appeared to lift off prematurely from the runway. The aircraft remained effectively stalled for approximately two minutes before impacting a drive-in theater.
During the impact, the propeller and wings struck the speaker poles at the venue. Following the collision, a fuel leak occurred which ignited an engine compartment fire.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight dynamics leading to the stall and the subsequent impact with the drive-in theater infrastructure. Witnesses confirmed the premature lift-off and the prolonged stalled condition prior to impact.