# NTSB SEA84FA058: Piper PA-28-J3A5D, N83382, Mountaindale, OR, February 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1984, 16:55 local (Feb 20, 1984, 00:55 UTC)
- Place: Mountaindale, OR
- Coordinates: 45.519683, -123.039909 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5197&lon=-123.0399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39791
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84FA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39791/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA058

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - flight control,stabilator - separation (contributing factor)
  - wing - separation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO HILLSBORO AIRPORT. WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE ACFT BELOW A VERY LOW OVERCAST SKY CONDITION PRIOR TO IMPACT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE STABILATOR FAILED IN OVERLOAD BEFORE THE POINT OF MAIN IMPACT. ANALYSIS OF RADAR DATA PRESENTED A PICTURE OF CHANGING ACFT SPEED AND DESCENT RATES BEFORE THE ACFT CRASHED INTO HILLY TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83382](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83382-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 28-8111052, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-J3A5D (PA-28-J3A5)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8111052
- Airframe hours: 409
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fabmark, Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1983, 133 hours before
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Destination: HIO, HILLSBORO, OR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HIO, Hillsboro, runway 12, 6,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,740 total, 40 in this make and model, 2,740 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HIO, 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 19840219004519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840219004519A), Feb 19, 1984: Piper PA28236, Mountaindale, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impact crater shows high velocity impact. Unable to ascertain airframe failure prior to ground impact.

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.