# NTSB FTW72AF040: Piper PA-28, N9633J, Sonora, TX, December 24, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 24, 1971
- Place: Sonora, TX · SONORA, TX
- Location: 30.5707° N, 100.6418° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sonora, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5707&lon=-100.6418&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 164772
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW72AF040
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72AF040

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4538  71/12/24   SONORA,TEX          PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 50, 620
        TIME - 1835                    N9633J              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SONORA
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SONORA,TEX                 UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: OTHER
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF POWERPLANT & POWERPLANT CONTROLS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL SELECTOR POSITIONED BETWEEN TANKS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL STARVATION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- WORN FUEL SELECT,MISALIGNED L TANK TO ENG-RESTRICTED FUEL FLOW.BLOOD ALCOHOL LVL 281 MG PCT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9633J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9633J-1972-03-13), registration cancelled 1972-03-13, S/N 28-3790 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Sonora

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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