# NTSB FTW84LA159: Piper PA-36, N57584, Lamesa, TX, March 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1984, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Lamesa, TX
- Coordinates: 32.73849, -101.94168 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7385&lon=-101.9417&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21277
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21277/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA159

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,partial (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FOR AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. A HARD FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN AN OPEN FIELD WHICH RESULTED IN BOTH MAIN GEARS COLLAPSING. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED BOTH MAGNETO DISTRIBUTOR BLOCKS WERE CRACKED AND EVIDENCE OF CARBON STREAKING WAS FOUND ON THE MAGNETO LEADS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N57584 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-7560118
- Airframe hours: 1970
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-A1B 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Benny White
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 1984

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 8,000 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 8
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19840306007299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840306007299A), Mar 6, 1984: Piper PA36285, La Mesa, TX, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after power loss from magneto 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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