# NTSB FTW85LA278: Piper PA-28-181, N8203D, Austin, TX, July 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1985, 16:03 local (21:03 UTC)
- Place: Austin, TX
- Location: 30.2672° N, 97.7431° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Austin, TX, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2672&lon=-97.7431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor; on the ground: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21793
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA278
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21793/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA278

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - vehicle (cause)

## Analysis

THE ENG FAILED AT ABOUT 2000 FT MSL WHILE THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING TO CRUISE FLT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO TURN BACK TO THE ARPT BUT REALIZED IT WAS TOO FAR AWAY. THE PLT THEN MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A GRASS AREA ADJACENT TO A LARGE HWY AT ABOUT A 45 DEG ANGLE TO THE ROAD. THE ACFT CROSSED AN ACCESS ROAD, TWO TRAFFIC LANES OF THE MAIN HWY, THE MEDIAN STRIP, AND CAME TO REST AFTER ENTERING THE TWO OPPOSITE TRAFFIC LANES WHERE A VEHICLE CONTACTED ITS RIGHT WING AND KNOCKED IT OFF THE ACFT. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE AND ITS TWO OCCUPANTS, ALONG WITH THE PLT, RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. POSTACCIDENT RUN-UP OF THE ENG FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8203D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8203D), registered now, S/N 28-8290120, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8290120
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William H. Mayer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AUS, AUSTIN, TX
- Destination: F26, PLANO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 84 total, 4 in this make and model, 54 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 4 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 19850709030349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850709030349A), Jul 9, 1985: Piper PA28181, Austin, TX, Substantial damage. Wing struck a car, slightly injuring occupants on landing after power loss. No cause found for engine power loss.

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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