# NTSB FTW85LA213: Piper PA-601, N8083J, Balmorhea, TX, May 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1985, 20:30 local (May 5, 1985, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Balmorhea, TX
- Coordinates: 30.98034, -103.740936 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9803&lon=-103.7409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21742
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21742/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA213

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - failure,total
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITY WHEN IT WAS INTENTIONALLY LANDED IN AN OPEN PASTURE. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT VEERED LEFT AND STRUCK A 30 INCH HIGH CONCRETE CULVERT.THE GEAR COLLAPSED ON CONTACT WITH THE CULVERT. UNKNOWN PERSONNEL SUBSEQUENTLY DRUG THE ACFT WITH A VEHICLE TO A BARN. WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO DRAG THE ACFT INTO THE BARN, THEY TORE THE WINGS OFF AND DAMAGED THE BARN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8083J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8083J-2012-12-10), registration cancelled 2012-12-10, S/N 6106247962138, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-601
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 601](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-601) (registry code 7106010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 610247962138
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Unknown
- Departed: UNKNOWN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850504020329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850504020329A), May 4, 1985: Piper PA60601, Balmorhea, TX, Destroyed. Landed in pasture and collided with concrete culvert. Dragged to nearby barn, with vehicle. Illegal operation.

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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