# NTSB FTW84FA084: Piper PA-22-108, N4579Z, Pawnee, OK, December 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 4, 1983, 10:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Pawnee, OK
- Coordinates: 36.879451, -97.050491 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8795&lon=-97.0505&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
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21092
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21092/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA084

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - electrical tower(marked) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A GUY WIRE ON A MICRO-WAVE TOWER DURING FLT IN IMC WEATHER. THE PLT HAD NOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO TAKEOFF AND AFTER ENCOUNTERING LOW CEILINGS THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO FLY ALONG A HIGHWAY AT LOW ALT. THE RIGHT WING OF THE ACFT STRUCK A GUY WIRE ABOUT 50 FT AGL. THE ACFT THEN CRASHED AND BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE FATALLY INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4579Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4579Z-2013-05-06), registration cancelled 2013-05-06, S/N 22-8088, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-108
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-108](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-108) (registry code 7102204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-8088
- Airframe hours: 4962
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1B 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fred C. Cheers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 1983, 74 hours before
- Departed: H97, PAWNEE, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL, 50 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 19831204059709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831204059709A), Dec 4, 1983: Piper PA22108, Pawnee, OK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck a guy wire of a microwave tower while following a highway under a low ceiling.

## Other investigations on N4579Z (1)

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.

- [NTSB UNK65X1432](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X1432), Feb 17, 1965: Piper PA22 (N4579Z), Ardmore, OK, substantial damage

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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