# NTSB FTW84LA138: Piper PA-31, N7415L, Brownsville, TX, February 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1984, 18:50 local (Feb 17, 1984, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Brownsville, TX
- Coordinates: 26.210588, -98.230377 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2106&lon=-98.2304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 6 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21261/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA138

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS MANEUVERING FOR AN ILS APPROACH WHEN HE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. HE SAID HE WAS DISTRACTED BY THE SWINGING CDI AND WAS BELOW THE GLIDE SLOPE. HE SAID HE STARTED TO ADD POWER FOR A MISSED APPROACH AND THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND. A PASSENGER SAID HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY CHANGE IN ENGINE SOUNDS DURING THE APPROACH. THE PLT STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE STARTED HIS MISSED APPROACH SOONER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7415L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7415L-1994-08-09), registration cancelled 1994-08-09, S/N 31799 (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
- Serial number: 31-799
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1A 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Billy R. Kilgo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1983
- Departed: ADS, DALLAS, TX
- Destination: BRO, BROWNSVILLE, TX
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: BRO, Brownsville Int'L, runway 13R, 7,400 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,376 total, 9,370 in this make and model, 9,370 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft
- Observed at: BRO

## 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 19840216006229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840216006229A), Feb 16, 1984: Piper PA31, Brownsville, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during instrument approach. Pilot stated crash occured as he began missed approach procedure.

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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