# NTSB FTW72AF030: Piper PA-32, N8973N, Wells, TX, November 28, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 28, 1971
- Place: Wells, TX · WELLS, TX
- Location: 31.4916° N, 94.9473° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wells, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4916&lon=-94.9473&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 7 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 25, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 164978
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW72AF030
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72AF030

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3868  71/11/28   WELLS,TEX           PIPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 40, 260
        TIME - 1005                    N8973N              PX-  6  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 20 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CLINT SESSIONS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WELLS,TEX                   LUBBOCK,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INITIATED FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  200
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/2 MILE OR LESS                                         DRIZZLE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       61
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          140                                                       7
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          BELOW MINIMUMS                                           VFR
        REMARKS- TOOK OFF IN KNOWN POOR WEA COND. LOST CTL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8973N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8973N-1972-05-01), registration cancelled 1972-05-01, S/N 32-40897, built 1969 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Clint Sessions

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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