# NTSB FTW71AF036: Piper PA-28, N5540W, Leakey, TX, January 2, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 2, 1971
- Place: Leakey, TX · LEAKEY, TX
- Location: 29.7254° N, 99.7631° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Leakey, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7254&lon=-99.7631&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 159987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW71AF036
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71AF036

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0324   71/1/2    LEAKEY,TEX          PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 45, 295
        TIME - 1100                    N5540W              PX-  0  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - FLYING J RANCH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FORT STOCKTON,TEX           SABINAL,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- RCVRY DATE 1/3/71.FLT BTWN 2 LAYERS OF CLOUDS,DR DSCNT THRU LOWER LAYER ACFT HIT HILL 1700FT MSL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5540W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5540W), registered now, S/N 28-631, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Flying J Ranch

## Other investigations on N5540W (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 NYC66D0672](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66D0672), May 3, 1966: Piper PA-28 (N5540W), Fort Story, VA, substantial damage

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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