# NTSB FTW85FA104: Piper PA-34-220T, N8204A, Victoria, TX, January 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1985, 23:50 local (Jan 30, 1985, 05:50 UTC)
- Place: Victoria, TX
- Coordinates: 28.939861, -97.020095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9399&lon=-97.0201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21525
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21525/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA104

## 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 - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD RENTED THE ACFT ON JANUARY 28, 1985, WITH ROUTE OF FLT UNKNOWN. NO REPORTED CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE ACFT. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE SURFACE DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND WAS DEMOLISHED. THE PLT WAS FATALLY INJURIED. THE PASSENGER RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES. POLICE REMOVED A LARGE QUANTITY OF MARIJUANA FROM THE WRECKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8204A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8204A-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N 34-8233143 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-220T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-220T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-220t) (registry code 7103420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8233143
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-KB 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Dallas Piper
- Registered owner: Martha J. Pointer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 18, 1985

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VCT, 2 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 19850129003579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850129003579A), Jan 29, 1985: Piper PA34220T, Victoria, TX, Destroyed. Impacted grassy surface wings level at high speed. Tumbled across drainage ditches in fog. Marijuana laden.

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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