# NTSB FTW84FA344: Piper PA-28-161, N3233Q, Reed, OK, August 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1984, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Reed, OK
- Coordinates: 34.869583, -99.5009 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8696&lon=-99.5009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21143
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA344
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21143/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA344

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - overload
  - wing - separation
  - flight control,stabilator - overload
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ARPT MANAGER REPORTED PREFLIGHT DISCUSSION WITH PLT CONCERNING WEATHER TO SOUTH (INTENDED DIRECTION OF FLIGHT) BUT PLT STATED HE DIDN'T THINK THERE WOULD BE ANY TROUBLE. MGR OBSERVED ACFT TAKEOFF AND DISAPPEAR INTO CLOUDS TO THE SOUTH. WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING SOUNDS OF ACFT ENGINE 'REVVING UP REAL HIGH' THEN CEASING. EYEWITNESS OBSERVED ACFT APPEAR BELOW CLOUD BASE WITH PIECES COMING OFF. WITNESSES STATED IT WAS RAINING HARD WITH THUNDER. INVESTIGATION SHOWED LEFT AND RIGHT WINGS AND STABILATOR HALVES FAILED IN ASSYMETRICAL OVERLOAD (ROLLING PULLOUT).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3233Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3233Q-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N 28-7716144, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7716144
- Airframe hours: 3448
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-DEG 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: R & D Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1984, 18 hours before
- Departed: OK23, SAYRE, OK
- Destination: F18, CLEBURNE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 79 total, 5 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LTS, 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 19840811075619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840811075619A), Aug 11, 1984: Piper PA28161, Reed, OK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Took off in rain, flew south towards area of thunderstorms and low ceiling. Inflight airframe failure.

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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