# NTSB FTW73AF023: Piper PA-32, N3782W, Baytown, TX, December 3, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 3, 1972
- Place: Baytown, TX · BAYTOWN, TX
- Location: 29.7355° N, 94.9774° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Baytown, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7355&lon=-94.9774&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 28, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 169323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW73AF023
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73AF023

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3743   72/12/3   BAYTOWN,TEX         PIPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 35, 440
        TIME - 1824                    N3782W              PX-  2  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 334 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HUMPHREY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SEGUIN,TEX                  BAYTOWN,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               0
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/4 MILE OR LESS                                         NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
          FOG                                                      130
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           5                                                       IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- DESCENDED INTO GRND IN FOG TRYING TO LND.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3782W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3782W-1973-06-22), registration cancelled 1973-06-22, S/N 32-705 (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: Destroyed
- Airport: Humphrey

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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