# Accident 20021030030519A: Piper PA31T, Hobbs, NM, October 30, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 30, 2002, 07:29 local time
- Place: Hobbs, NM
- Airport: Lea County-Hobbs Airport
- Damage: Destroyed
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.7028° N, 103.2328° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7028&lon=-103.2328&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3998Y, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3998Y-2017-04-13) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-31T (registry code 7103124, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A (registry code 52043, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA31T
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW03FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA024) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021030030519A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-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.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW03FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA024), Oct 30, 2002: Piper PA-31T (N3998Y), Hobbs, NM, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of control while in instrument meteorological conditions during initial takeoff climb. Contributing factors were the prevailing clouds and fog.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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