# NTSB FTW84LA365: Piper PA-36-300, N2397Y, Lorenzo, TX, August 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1984, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Lorenzo, TX
- Coordinates: 33.670951, -101.529914 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6710&lon=-101.5299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21441
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA365
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21441/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA365

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aircraft performance,rolling maneuvers - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - flt control syst,aileron control - movement restricted (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,alignment - inadequate (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - level off - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETION OF A SWATH RUN THE ACFT TURNED RIGHT AND THEN LEFT BEFORE IT DESCENDED TO THE GROUND IN A LEFT BANK AND NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT WOULD NOT RECOVER FROM THE LEFT TURN WHEN FULL RIGHT STICK TRAVEL WAS APPLIED. THE ACFT WAS PURCHASED 2 DAYS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT DATE. ACCORDING TO THE PT THE ACFT WAS OUT OF RIG AND REQUIRED MOVEMENT OF CONTROL STICK HALFWAY TO THE RIGHT TO FLY STRAIGHT AND LEVEL. FOUR FLIGHTS WERE MADE BY THE PLT WITH THE ACFT IN THIS CONDITION. THE PLT DID NOT COMPLETE AN NTSB 6120.1 FORM AS REQUESTED BY THE FAA COORDINATOR. BECAUSE OF THIS, MUCH OF THE DATA NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE 6102.4 IS MISSING AND CODED UNK/NR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2397Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2397Y-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 368160023 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-300) (registry code 7103612) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-8160023
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: George Cunningham
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBB, 20 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 19840823045809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840823045809A), Aug 23, 1984: Piper PA36300, Lorenzo, TX, Substantial damage. Dived into the ground during a procedure turn around. May have stalled. Control problem blamed but not verified.

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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