# Accident 20220722012939A: Piper PA-28-235, Seguin, TX, July 22, 2022

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 22, 2022, 18:45 local time
- Place: Seguin, TX
- Airport: Elm Creek Airpark
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.5026° N, 97.9916° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5026&lon=-97.9916&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8542W, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8542W) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-235 (registry code 7102810, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR22FA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA264) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220722012939A

## Narrative

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

ON JULY 22, 2022, AROUND 1845 LOCAL/CENTRAL TIME, PIPER PA-28-235, ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ WAS DESTROYED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, DEPARTING FROM ELM CREEK AIRPARK IN SEGUIN, TEXAS. THE PILOT, PASSENGER, AND PET DOG WERE FATALLY INJURED IN THE PART 91 FLIGHT.

ACCORDING TO THE LANDOWNER OF THE ACCIDENT SITE, THE POST-CRASH FIRE CONSUMED APPROXIMATELY 4-5 ACRES.

THE KNOWN PLAN WAS TO DEPART FROM ELM CREEK AND STOP AT NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA AND ARRIVE AT JONESVILLE, LOUISIANA.

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED ON RUNWAY 14 AT ELM CREEK AND FLEW APPROXIMATELY A 1/4 MILE BEFORE IMPACTING TREES.

NO MAINTANCE RECORDS OR OTHER DOCUMENTATION WERE LOCATED, HOWEVER, SEVERAL DOCUMENTS WERE FOUND DESTROYED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. AN INTERVIEW WITH THE AIRCRAFT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE DOCUMENTS WERE MOST LIKELY ON BOARD AS THIS WAS A HABIT WITH THE PILOT. SEVERAL LOCAL AIRPORTS WERE CONTACTED TO INQUIRE ABOUT FUEL AND NONE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION. THE INTERVIEW WITH THE MECHANIC STRESSED THE FACT THAT THE AIRCRAFT MOST LIKELY HAD MOGAS AS PART OF THE FUEL.

SEVERAL WITNESSES STATED THE AIRCRAFT WAS HEAVILY LOADED WITH LUGGAGE AND CARGO, POSSIBLE WITH FULL FUEL OR MOSTLY FULL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS MOSTLY CONSUMED BY THE FIRE. IT WAS NOTED THAT DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ALSO FAIRLY HIGH BASED ON GREATER THAN 100 DEGREE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE.

ALL MAJOR STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS WERE LOCATED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE WAS COMPLETED ON JULY 24, 2022. HOWEVER, THE NTSB AND OEM MAY RETURN TO EXAMINE THE ENGINE FOR TRACES OF MOGAS OR CONTAMINATION.

## 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 WPR22FA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA264), Jul 22, 2022: Piper PA-28-235 (N8542W), Seguin, TX, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at a low altitude after being distracted when the engine cowling opened during flight, which led to a loss of control and…

## Other reports on N8542W (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20080604839679I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080604839679I), Jun 4, 2008: Piper PA28235 (N8542W), Tucson, AZ, Minor damage. (-23) N8542W taxied inot a pole in the parking area at Ryan Field, Tucson, AZ, at 0755MST on 6/4/2008, damaging the right wing tip tank. The pilot was no in…

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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