# NTSB ATL84FA107: Piper PA-23, N2160P, Bluefield, WV, February 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1984, 12:32 local (17:32 UTC)
- Place: Bluefield, WV
- Coordinates: 37.260951, -81.210235 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2610&lon=-81.2102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA107

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - ice (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - initiated, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING ON AN IFR FLT AT 10,000 FT, THE PLT INFORMED ATLANTA CENTER THAT HE HAD AN ENG PROBLEM & WAS DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. HE WAS PROVIDED A HEADING TO THE BLUEFIELD ARPT WHICH WAS NEARBY. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, HE SAID THE LEFT ENG WAS PROVIDING ONLY PARTIAL POWER. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE PASSENGER (HIS WIFE) SAW A BREAK IN THE CLOUDS & THE PLT SAID HE WOULD CIRCLE & TRY TO GET DOWN. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE HIGHEST OBSTACLE IN THE AREA WAS AT 3800 FT. HE REPORTED GOOD GROUND CONTACT, BUT SAID HE STILL COULD NOT SEE THE ARPT. RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AT LOW ALT, BUT THE PLT FLEW TO THE BLUEFIELD VOR, ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM THE ARPT. HE THEN ENTERED A TURN AWAY FROM THE ARPT, & SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ON HILLY TERRAIN. THE SURFACE TEMP WAS 30 DEG. ICY SLUSH WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT GASCOLATOR. THE FUEL SELECTORS WERE FOUND IN THE 'AUX' POSITIONS. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE BLADES OF THE LEFT PROP WERE FOUND IN A FLAT ANGLE (NOT FEATHERED) & BENT AFT WITH LITTLE ROTATIONAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2160P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2160P-2012-08-24), registration cancelled 2012-08-24, S/N 23-762, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-150) (registry code 7102303) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-762
- Airframe hours: 6328
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B/A3B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lamar R. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 1984, 6 hours before
- Departed: CHO, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
- Destination: BNA, NASHVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BLF, Mercer Co., runway 23, 4,742 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 468 total, 74 in this make and model, 254 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLF, 25 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840225004639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840225004639A), Feb 25, 1984: Piper PA23160, Bluefield, WV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Reported power loss on one engine. Got below airport elevation and crashed in trees. Sluch ice in left carburetor

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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