# NTSB FTW72FRG04: Piper PA-32, N4847S, El Indio, TX, July 8, 1971

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: July 8, 1971
- Place: El Indio, TX · EL INDIO, TX
- Location: 28.5083° N, 100.3062° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of El Indio, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5083&lon=-100.3062&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 22, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 162177
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW72FRG04
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72FRG04

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1307   71/7/8    EL INDIO,TEX        PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 47, 4041
        TIME - 1715                    N4847S              PX-  0  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 18 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          EL INDIO,TEX                EAGLE PASS,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PLT WAS LOOKING AT CATTLE HE HAD JUST BOUGHT. HIT WIRES 50 FT AGL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4847S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4847S-1972-05-01), registration cancelled 1972-05-01, S/N 32-1286, built 1970 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: 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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