# NTSB ATL81DKJ32: Piper PA-32, N4529X, Tuscaloosa, AL, August 16, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: August 16, 1981
- Place: Tuscaloosa, AL · TUSCALOOSA, AL
- Location: 33.2098° N, 87.5692° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tuscaloosa, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2098&lon=-87.5692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124651
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81DKJ32
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81DKJ32

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2042  81/8/16    TUSCALOOSA,AL       PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  1  1  INSTRUCTIONAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1428                    N4529X              PX-  0  0  0  DUAL                      AGE 41, 2116 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            1 IN TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - TUSC-VANDEGRAFF
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TUSCALOOSA,AL               LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           TURBULENCE                                               LANDING: GO-AROUND
           COLLIDED WITH: BUILDING(S)                               LANDING: GO-AROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DELAYED IN INITIATING GO-AROUND
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           WEATHER - WIND SHEAR
           WEATHER - THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               200
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/4 MILE OR LESS                                          RAIN, THUNDERSTORM
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     200
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           30                                                      IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR
        REMARKS- ATMTD LNDG BFR TSTM ARR.LOST APRX 35KTS IN WNDSHR.HIT HANGAR,2 ACFT,OTR ACFT DMGD.WND GSTG 50KTS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4529X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4529X-1987-10-15), registration cancelled 1987-10-15, S/N 32-7640032, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Tusc-Vandegraff

## 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 19810816049749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810816049749A), Aug 16, 1981: Piper PA32300, Northport, AL, Substantial damage. Flew into thunderstorm trying to land at airport. Lost control on go-around attempt. Struck hangar & parked airplanes

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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