# NTSB FTW77FA037: Piper PA-31, N9145Y, Springdale, AR, February 22, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 22, 1977
- Place: Springdale, AR · SPRINGDALE, AR
- Location: 36.1867° N, 94.1288° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Springdale, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1867&lon=-94.1288&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 15, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80051
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW77FA037
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FA037

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1263  77/2/22  NR.SPRINGDALE,AR      PIPER PA-31         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 30, 353
        TIME - 1705                    N9145Y              PX-  4  0  0  OTHER                     TOTAL HOURS, 43 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
           FORT WORTH,TX              ST LOUIS,MO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFT (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           AIRFRAME - FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES: ELEVATOR ASSEMBLY,ATTACHMENTS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FLUTTER
           PERSONNEL - WEATHER PERSONNEL: INCORRECT WEATHER FORECAST
           WEATHER - TURBULENCE IN FLIGHT,CLEAR AIR
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - WEATHER CONSIDERABLY WORSE THAN FORECAST
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN/LOWER SCATTERED                                    25000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      64
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          170                                                       20
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      IFR
        REMARKS- ELEVATOR NOT REBALANCED AFTER REPAINTING, RIV-NUT IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. TURBULENCE NOT FORECAST.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9145Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9145Y-1981-08-11), registration cancelled 1981-08-11, S/N 31-194 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-310](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-310) (registry code 7103102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19770222020259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770222020259A), Feb 22, 1977: Piper PA31, Springdale, AR, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Elevator not rebalanced after repainting, riv-nut improperly installed. Turbulence not forecast.

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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