# NTSB FTW72DPD36: Piper PA-32, N8954N, Cross Plains, TX, April 6, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 6, 1972
- Place: Cross Plains, TX · CROSS PLAINS, TX
- Location: 32.1271° N, 99.1658° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cross Plains, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1271&lon=-99.1658&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 165703
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW72DPD36
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72DPD36

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0931   72/4/6    CROSS PLAINS,TEX    PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 35, 503
        TIME - 1630                    N8954N              PX-  0  0  2  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 16 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CROSS PLAINS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BROWNFIELD,TEX              CROSS PLAINS,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: ROLL
           COLLIDED WITH: OBJECT                                    LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     LEFT CROSS WIND 248-292 DEGREES
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          240                                                       18
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- LNDD RWY 35.WIND GUSTING 25K.HIT LIP OFF SIDE OF RWY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8954N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8954N), registered now, S/N 32-40757, 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)
- 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: Substantial damage
- Airport: Cross Plains

## Other investigations on N8954N (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 FTW00LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA059), Jan 10, 2000: Piper PA-32-300 (N8954N), Sweeney, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive flare resulting in a hard landing. Factors were the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, the power lines on final approach and the dark night conditions.

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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