# NTSB FTW85LA169: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N3562X, Matagorda Is., TX, March 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1985, 19:02 local (Mar 31, 1985, 01:02 UTC)
- Place: Matagorda Is., TX
- Coordinates: 28.730243, -95.879165 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7302&lon=-95.8792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21712
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21712/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA169

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXECUTED A VFR GO-AROUND WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH DUE TO LIVESTOCK ON THE RUNWAY AND REPORTEDLY EXPERIENCED ENGINE POWER LOSS. THE AIRCRAFT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON THE BEACH AND FLIPPED INVERTED, COMING TO REST IN THE WATER ALONGSIDE THE BEACH. THE WRECKAGE HAS NOT BEEN RECOVERED FROM THE SALT WATER. REASON FOR ENGINE FAILURE IS UNKNOWN. THE PLT FAILED TO RETURN THE ACCIDENT REPORTING FORM WHICH WAS SENT TO HIM FOR COMPLIANCE, THEREFORE MUCH OF THE ACCIDENT INFORMATION IS NOT REPORTED/UNKNOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3562X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3562X-2013-04-16), registration cancelled 2013-04-16, S/N 28R-8031033 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R8031033
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James T. Tasso
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AUSTIN, TX
- Airport: XS10, Matagorda Is.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

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

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSX, 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 19850330011169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850330011169A), Mar 30, 1985: Piper PA28RT201T, Matagorda Islan, TX, Destroyed. Engine lost power during go around. Aircraft nosed over during landing. Pilot refuses to supply facts about mishap.

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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