# NTSB MKC84FA103: Piper PA-24-180, N6177P, Springdale, AR, March 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1984, 08:14 local (14:14 UTC)
- Place: Springdale, AR
- Coordinates: 36.179542, -94.139984 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1795&lon=-94.1400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33519
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33519/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA103

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ABOUT 3 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED COMING OUT OF THE 400-600 FT OVERCAST SKY IN ABOUT A 75 DEG NOSE DOWN, RIGHT WING ATTITUDE. IT IMPACTED A 4-STRAND HIGH VOLTAGE POWERLINE PRIOR TO IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. THE PLT HAD RECEIVED HIS INSTRUMENT RATING IN JANUARY. NO RECORDS WERE FOUND INDICATING THAT THE PLT EVER FLOWN ACTUAL OR SIMULATED INSTRUMENTS IN A PA-24. THE PLT HAD A MEDICAL HISTORY OF DIZZINESS. ON 3/6/84 HE WAS TREATED FOR NAUSEA, VOMITING & DIZZINESS. HE WAS GIVEN 3 MEDICATIONS AT THAT TIME. ON 3/8/84 THE PLT TELEPHONED THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTERTO SAY HE WAS STILL EXPERIENCING DIZZINESS & WAS PRESCRIBED ANOTHER DRUG. HE AGAIN CALLED ON 3/10/84 COMPLAINING OF DIZZINESS. HOWEVER, A DRUG SCREEN REVEALED NO TRACES OF MEDICATIONS ABLE TO BE TESTED FOR. THE ACFT WAS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6177P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6177P-2013-04-26), registration cancelled 2013-04-26, S/N 24-1279, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1279
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brian David  Lowe
- Registered owner: Ronald Ray Moore
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 1983
- Destination: MAI, MARIANNA, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: H37, Municipal, runway 36, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 218 total, 132 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Not reported
- Wind: 40° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FYV, 20 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 19840316005869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840316005869A), Mar 16, 1984: Piper PA24, Springdale, AR, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost control after takeoff. Near vertical impact. No known prior actual IFR flight. History of dizzy spells.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.