# NTSB FTW85FA131: Piper PA-34-220T, N8160K, Stigler, OK, March 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1985, 15:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Stigler, OK
- Coordinates: 35.250625, -95.11972 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2506&lon=-95.1197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA131

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - fuselage,cargo compartment - disintegrated (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - flight control,stabilator - failure,total (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - wing,spar - failure,partial (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - emergency procedure - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT FILED A VFR FLT PLAN AFTER THE WX IMPROVED FROM IFR TO VFR WITH A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS EN ROUTE. OCNL MOD TURBULENCE BELOW 5000 FT WAS FORCAST DUE TO STRONG/GUSTY LOW LVL WNDS. WHILE THE ACFT WAS EN ROUTE, A GND WITNESS HEARD THE ENGS REV UP MORE THAN NORMAL, THEN HE SAW THE ACFT ON A NORTHERLY HEADING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE& SAW 2 OR MORE PIECES SEPARATE FROM THE ACFT. IT THEN ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DSCNT & CRASHED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE ACFT SUFFERED AN IN-FLT SEPARATION OF THE FIBERGLASS NOSE ASSEMBLY, THAT PORTIONS OF THE SEPARATED NOSE STRUCK THE STABILATOR & THAT A DAMAGED AREA ON THE RT STABILATOR ACTED AS A TRIM TAB & CAUSED A PITCH-UP OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE TOCAUSE POSITIVE BENDING IN THE WINGS. THE LOADING ON THE STABILATORS CAUSED THEM TO FAIL IN NEG BENDING. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A DESCENDING COUNTER-CLOCKWISE SPIN WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL GROUND IMPACT OCCURRED. PARTS OF THE ACFT & ITS CONTENTS SEPARATED & DESCENDED IN SCATTERED FRAGMENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8160K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8160K-2013-09-17), registration cancelled 2013-09-17, S/N 34-8333030, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-220T (PA-34-22OT)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-220T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-220t) (registry code 7103420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8333030
- Engines: CONTINENTAL L/TSIO-360-KB 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry L. Flocks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 22, 1985
- Departed: LBB, LUBBOCK, TX
- Destination: FSM, FT SMITH, AR
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 238 total, 64 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 12 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Observed at: MLC, 50 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 19850303004989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850303004989A), Mar 3, 1985: Piper PA34220T, Stigler, OK, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Inflight airframe failure. Nose baggage door, horizontal stabilizers, nose section found apart from main wreckage.

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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