What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) On October 30, 2002, at approximately 0729 MST, local time, the pilot of a Piper PA-31-T cheyenne aircraft, N3998Y, after departure and during climb-out in IMC conditions, lost control and impacted the ground at approximately 3 miles north of Hobbs lea county regional airport (hob), Hobbs, new Mexico. The aircraft was completely destroyed when consumed by fire after impact. The pilot in command and sole occupant received fatal injuries and was burned beyond recognition after impact. The IMC weather conditions prevailing at the time of the accident were 700 feet overcast (700 ovc) and 3 miles visibility. A title 14 CFR part 91 IFR flight plan was filed from hob with destination to el paso (elp), el paso, Texas.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) ON OCTOBER 30, 2002, AT APPROXIMATELY 0729 MST, LOCAL TIME, THE PILOT OF A PIPER PA-31-T CHEYENNE AIRCRAFT, N3998Y, AFTER DEPARTURE AND DURING CLIMB-OUT IN IMC CONDITIONS, LOST CONTROL AND IMPACTED THE GROUND AT APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES NORTH OF HOBBS LEA COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT (HOB), HOBBS, NEW MEXICO. THE AIRCRAFT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED WHEN CONSUMED BY FIRE AFTER IMPACT. THE PILOT IN COMMAND AND SOLE OCCUPANT RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES AND WAS BURNED BEYOND RECOGNITION AFTER IMPACT. THE IMC WEATHER CONDITIONS PREVAILING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE 700 FEET OVERCAST (700 OVC) AND 3 MILES VISIBILITY. A TITLE 14 CFR PART 91 IFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED FROM HOB WITH DESTINATION TO EL PASO (ELP), EL PASO, TEXAS.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.