12) LOSS OF SPEED AWARENESS, U-FIT

Cessna 340-A | N888MT

August 27th, 2025 | Mosby, Missouri

Accident Location

  • City: Mosby
  • State: Missouri
  • Latitude: 39.35
  • Longitude: -94.306389
  • Airport ID: KGPH

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N888MT
  • Make: Cessna
  • Model: 340-A
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Multi Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Spelts, Mark Warren
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 76
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: Basic Med
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: August 27th, 2025
  • Time: 11:55 AM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Approach
  • Total People Onboard: 2
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 1
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 2
  • NTSB No:
  • NTSB Travel: Unknown
  • AQP Classification: 12) LOSS OF SPEED AWARENESS, U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be pilot error, in that the private pilot did enter the left downwind for runway 18 at KGPH at a speed below DMMS. He extended the landing gear, turned left base, and pulled aft on the control yoke in an ever decreasing speed. The entire traffic pattern was flown both too low and too slow, and the aircraft stalled and rolled left, impacting the ground and immediately erupting in fire. Both occupants were alive initially but could not get out of the burning aircraft. The cause of this accident is clearly a pilot error loss of speed awareness, and prolonged turning flight well below DMMS.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft become aware of DMMS and Vref for their aircraft, and that they commit to marking their airspeed indicators for both. At no time should flight be permitted to bank more than 30 degrees, or fly below the DMMS bug. Most airspeed indicators are marked with stall speeds, which may or may not be accurate for wings level stall. The DMMS reference protects pilots in coordinated flight up to 30 degrees bank. The DTSB recommends that all pilots commit to avoid flight below DMMS until on final, when they can slow to Vref to Vref plus 5.

NTSB: NONE

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.