# NTSB FTW68D0345: Piper PA-32, N3229W, Del Rio, TX, October 29, 1967

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: October 29, 1967
- Place: Del Rio, TX · DEL RIO, TX
- Location: 29.3730° N, 100.8819° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Del Rio, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3730&lon=-100.8819&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 8, 1968
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 113493
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW68D0345
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68D0345

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-0801  67/10/29   DEL RIO,TEX         PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1815                    N3229W              PX-  0  1  3  PARAJUMP-SPORT            AGE 20, 1000 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            0 IN TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - DEL RIO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           MISCELLANEOUS                                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO FOLLOW APPROVED PROCEDURES,DIRECTIVES,ETC.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  LATERAL CONTROL PROBLEM
                                  AIRFRAME BUFFET
        REMARKS- SKY DIVER CAUGHT IN OPEN DOOR,ACFT BUFFETED.ACFT PLACARDED AGAINST OPENING ANY DOOR IN FLIGHT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3229W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3229W-2025-04-30), registration cancelled 2025-04-30, S/N 32-39, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Del Rio

## Other investigations on N3229W (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 FTW69A0083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69A0083), May 18, 1969: Piper PA-32 (N3229W), Keller, TX, destroyed, 1 fatal

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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