# NTSB MKC85LA041: Piper PA-28-180, N2320T, Stuttgart, AR, December 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1984, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Stuttgart, AR
- Coordinates: 34.489631, -91.549911 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4896&lon=-91.5499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33900
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33900/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA041

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, missed approach (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - missed approach - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, missed approach (ifr)

## Analysis

PLT STATED HE HAD ATTEMPTED AN NDB APPROACH TO RWY 18 BUT EXECUTED A MISSED APPROACH WHEN HE COULD NOT SEE THE RWY WHEN THE ACFT WAS AT 800 FT. THE PLT PITCHED THE ACFT TO A CLIMB ATTITUDE AND ADDED FULL THROTTLE. HE CONTINUED TO STATE THAT THE ACFT FELT 'STRANGE AND MUSHY' WHILE IN A LEFT TURN. THE PLT ROLLED THE WINGS LEVEL AND NOTICED A DROP IN AIRSPEED FROM 100 MPH TO 80. THE POST CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ACFT STRUCTURE, FLT CONTROLS OR ENGINE. THE TEMP & DUE POINT WERE 60 & 59 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, SERIOUS CARB ICING COULD OCCUR AT CRUISE OR GLIDE POWER. THE PLT STATED THAT HE NEVER OPERATED THE CARB HEAT CONTROL DURING THE APPROACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2320T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2320T-1995-03-29), registration cancelled 1995-03-29, S/N 287105224 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7105224
- Airframe hours: 1965
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John H. Meadows
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1984, 17 hours before
- Departed: M42, GRENADA, MS
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,807 total, 145 in this make and model, 4,387 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBF, 32 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 19841227068279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841227068279A), Dec 27, 1984: Piper PA28180, Stuttgart, AR, Destroyed. Throttle cable bent, preventing any throttle control. No power on missed approach, emergency landing.

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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