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Casualties unknown

Night VFR Flight Ends in Crash Southwest of Springfield (N6KG)

Bois D'arc, MO, US

On April 14, 1990, a Piper PA-31-350 (registration N6KG) was involved in an aviation accident near Bois D'arc, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: INADVERTENT FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An instrument-rated pilot departed Springfield for a VFR flight to Mt Vernon at night. After takeoff and a right turn, radar contact was lost. The aircraft crashed 7 miles southwest of the airport. Investigation found no preimpact failure and no record of a weather briefing.

Introduction

An instrument-rated pilot departed Springfield, Missouri, at night on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight to Mt Vernon, Missouri.

Flight Details

After taking off from Runway 20, the pilot executed a right turn and began a climb to 3000 feet. Shortly thereafter, tower personnel lost radar contact with the aircraft and notified the FAA regional operations center.

Crash

The aircraft crashed about 7 miles southwest of the airport. A witness reported seeing an aircraft descend out of low clouds in the area but did not observe the actual crash.

Investigation

Investigation revealed that the aircraft crashed on an easterly heading while at a high rate of speed. Impact occurred in a left wing down, nose low attitude. No preimpact part failure or malfunction of the aircraft was found. Additionally, no record of a preflight weather briefing was found.

Spatial disorientation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 14 Apr 1990 Piper PA-31-350 accident near Bois D'arc, MO?

An instrument-rated pilot departed Springfield for a VFR flight to Mt Vernon at night. After takeoff and a right turn, radar contact was lost. The aircraft crashed 7 miles southwest of the airport. Investigation found no preimpact failure and no record of a weather briefing.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 14 Apr 1990 involved a Piper PA-31-350, registration N6KG, at Bois D'arc, MO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

INADVERTENT FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION, DARKNESS, LOW CEILING, AND FOG.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X22981. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.