# NTSB FTW85LA056: Cessna 172P, N54028, Pampa, TX, November 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1984, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Pampa, TX
- Coordinates: 35.539012, -100.959686 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5390&lon=-100.9597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21629
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21629/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA056

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - preflight briefing service - issued, atc personnel(fss)
  - weather forecast - issued, atc personnel(fss)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - in-flight weather advisories - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - expectancy, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, missed approach (ifr)
  - wing - ice (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - not possible (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING SHOWED CLOSEST REPORTING STATION TO DESTINATION BELOW DEST APCH MINIMUM OF I MILE VISIBILITY BUT FCST TO IMPROVE TO 1/2 MI BY ARRIVAL. AREA FREEZING LEVEL FCST AT 3-4000 FT. FLT TO DEST AT 6000 FT WAS ON TOP OF CLOUDS AND UNEVENTFUL. PLT CONTACTED DEST ON UNICOM AND WAS ADVISED OF 'LOW GROUND FOG AND VERY POOR VISIBILITY.' PLT MADE NO FURTHER EFFORT TO CLARIFY CONDITIONS, COMMENCED NDB APPROACH AND ENTERED CLOUDS AT 4000 FT. ACFT STRUCTURAL ICING OCCURRED DURING APPROACH. PLT SIGHTED RUNWAY LIGHTS BUT LOST CONTACT IN TURN TO ADJUST COURSE & EXECUTED A MISSED APPROACH. DUE TO STRUCTURAL ICING, PLT UNABLE TO CLIMB ABOVE 3800 FT, THEN UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT AS ICE CONTINUED TO ACCRETE. PLT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST DESCENT BUT ON VISUAL CONTACT WITH GROUND MANUVERED TO A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. PLT REPORTED CONDITIONS AT DESTINATION WERE ABOVE APPROACH MINIMUMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54028](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54028-1993-05-11), registration cancelled 1993-05-11, S/N 17274850 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274850
- Airframe hours: 652
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Riverside Aero
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1984
- Departed: RVS, TULSA, OK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PPA, Perry Lefors, runway 17, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,593 total, 128 in this make and model, 1,412 as pilot in command, 221 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19841119063349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841119063349A), Nov 19, 1984: Cessna 172P, Pampa, TX, Destroyed. Icing forecasted, aircraft not equipped. Airport below minimums, picked up airframe icing, could not stay airborne.

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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