# NTSB FTW90LA162: Piper PA28-201T, N2082Y, Heber Springs, AR, September 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1990, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Heber Springs, AR
- Coordinates: 35.49979, -92.029602 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4998&lon=-92.0296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA162

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CONDUCT A THOROUGH PREFLIGHT AND HIS ATTEMPT TO EXECUTE A TURN AT HIGH SPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - pitot/static system - blocked(partial) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted
  - abort - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A TAKEOFF THE OBSERVED AN ERRATIC AIRSPEED INDICATION, FOLLOWED BY ZERO INDICATION, SO HE ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. DURING THE ABORTED TAKEOFF HE ATTEMPTED A HIGH SPEED TURN TO THE LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY, COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR AND CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO AIRPLANE. THE ERRATIC AIRSPEED WAS THE DIRECT RESULT OF A BLOCKAGE OF THE PITOT STATIC SYSTEM BY AN INSECT NEST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2082Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2082Y-1991-08-06), registration cancelled 1991-08-06, S/N 28R7931143 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28-201T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7931143
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO 360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Farris, Keith W
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Destination: COU, ASHLAND, MO
- Airport: HBZ, Heber Springs, runway 5, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,674 total, 470 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JBR, 72 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 19900902037719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900902037719A), Sep 2, 1990: Piper PA28RT201T, Heber Springs, AR, Substantial damage. No airspeed indication on takeoff. Aborted late,collapsed gear turning off too fast. Pitot blocked by dirt dauber.

## Other investigations on N2082Y (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC84IA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84IA053), Dec 31, 1983: Piper PA-28RT-201T (N2082Y), Trenton, NE, incident, minor damage

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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