# NTSB MKC84FA091: Piper PA-34-200T, N5857F, Harrison, AR, March 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1984, 20:32 local (Mar 4, 1984, 02:32 UTC)
- Place: Harrison, AR
- Coordinates: 36.240238, -93.110176 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2402&lon=-93.1102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33516/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA091

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing,spar - separation (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT ENCOUNTERED A THUNDERSTORM DURING A NIGHT X-COUNTRY.THE PLT WAS BEING VECTORED BY THE CONTROLLER TO AVOID THE WORST OF THE STORM. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES MEMPHIS CENTER HEARD THE ACFTS CALL SIGN SHOUTED OVER THE RADIO. FURTHER ATTEMPTS AT RADIO COMMUNICATION WITH THE ACFT MET WITH NO SUCCESS. ABOUT 7 MINUTES LATER A NEARBY RESIDENT REPORTED AN ACFT ACCIDENT TO THE SHERIFF. THE ACFT WAS FOUND THE NEXT MORNING WITH THE WINGS SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5857F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 347770026
- Airframe hours: 1351
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Phillip J. Berry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 1983, 75 hours before
- Departed: SUS, ST. LOUIS, MO
- Destination: ADS, DALLAS, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 261 total, 103 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HAR, 7 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 19840304004839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840304004839A), Mar 4, 1984: Piper PA34200T, Harrison, AR, Destroyed. Encountered thunderstorm en route. Airframe failure occurred. Advised severe weather en route on weather briefing.

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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