# NTSB FTW86FA008: Piper PA-28-180, Pecos, TX, October 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1985, 06:50 local (11:50 UTC)
- Place: Pecos, TX
- Coordinates: 31.399532, -103.499404 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3995&lon=-103.4994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21872
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21872/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA008

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - low ceiling (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PVT PLT DEPARTED ON A NIGHT FLT WITH WX REPORTED AS 300 AND 2 IN FOG AND DRIZZLE. ACFT IMPACTED TERRAIN SHORTLY THEREAFTER IN A 60 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PLT HAD TOLD A FRIEND THAT AFTER DEPATURE HE WOULD ACQUIRE AND THEN FOLLOW THE LIGHTS ALONG A NEARBY INTERSTATE HWY TO HIS DESTANTION. THE FRIEND, WHO WITNESSED THE DEPARTURE, STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF HE LOST SIGHT OF THE ACFT'S ROTATING BEACON DUE TO THE LOW VISIBILITY. THE PLT HAD A REPUTATION FOR FLYING IN MARGINAL OR WORSE WX AND HAD BEEN VIOLATED FOR THE SAME ON ONE PREVIOUS OCCASION. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS REVEALED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N711OW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-901
- Airframe hours: 4505
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carl L. Harrison
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1985, 25 hours before
- Destination: EO1, MONAHANS, TX
- Airport: PEQ, Pecos Muni, runway 31, 6,255 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 830 total, 79 in this make and model, 802 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF, 82 nm away

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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