# NTSB MKC85FA060: Piper PA-34-200T, N8658E, Mena, AR, February 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1985, 13:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Mena, AR
- Coordinates: 34.580333, -94.230865 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5803&lon=-94.2309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33821
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33821/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA060

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD BEEN CLEARED FOR AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO THEMENA, ARKANSAS INTERMOUNTAIN REGIONAL AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A MOUNTAIN SIDE 8 1/2 MILES OFF COURSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8658E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8658E-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 34-7670165, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7670165
- Airframe hours: 1861
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-EB1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Adler B. Seal
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 21, 1985, 75 hours before
- Departed: BTR, BATON ROUGE, LA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: M39, Intermountain Regional, runway 17, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, airline transport; 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: 4,550 total, 100 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSM

## 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 19850220004089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850220004089A), Feb 20, 1985: Piper PA34200T, Mena, AR, Destroyed. Impacted trees on fourche mountain in level flight attitude. Wreckage nowhere near course of instrument approach.

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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