# NTSB FTW85LA314: Piper PA-28-140, N1020D, Falfurrias, TX, August 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1985, 22:30 local (Aug 11, 1985, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Falfurrias, TX
- Coordinates: 27.219213, -98.140289 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2192&lon=-98.1403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21820
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA314
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21820/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA314

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - flight/nav instruments,directional gyro - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT EXPERIENCED IN-FLT DIRECTIONAL GYRO PROBLEMS (EXESSIVE PRECESSING) WHICH RESULTED IN LARGE DEVIATIONS ON EITHER SIDE OF HIS PLANNING FLT PATH. AFTER REALIZING IT WAS INACCURATE HE CONTINUED USING IT FOR SOME OF HIS HEADING INFO. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO 'WANDER' UNTIL FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED. THE ACFT WAS THEN FORCE LANDED ON A SMALL RANCH ROAD DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS WITH THE AID OF ITS LANDING LIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1020D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1020D), registered now, S/N 28-7425251, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7425251
- Airframe hours: 1737
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hurley Boehler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 4, 1985
- Departed: CLL, COLLEGE STATION, TX
- Destination: T31, PORT ISABEL, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,053 total, 65 in this make and model, 97 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19850810040339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850810040339A), Aug 10, 1985: Piper PA28140, Falfurrias, TX, Substantial damage. Erratic flight path due precessing directional gyro. Accident occurred during emegency landing after fuel exhaustion

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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