# NTSB FTW73AF024: Piper PA-32, N5229S, Laredo, TX, December 8, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 8, 1972
- Place: Laredo, TX · LAREDO, TX
- Location: 27.5064° N, 99.5075° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Laredo, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5064&lon=-99.5075&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 169319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW73AF024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73AF024

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3739   72/12/8   LAREDO,TEX          PIPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 50, 1500
        TIME - 2110                    N5229S              PX-  1  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 50 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LAREDO INTL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HOUSTON,TEX                 LAREDO,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: GO-AROUND
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               50
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/4 MILE OR LESS                                         DRIZZLE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       50
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           40                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          BELOW MINIMUMS                                           NONE
        REMARKS- MRGL VFR CONDS FCSTD,LOW CIGS AFTR SNST.VFR-ON-TOP ENROUTE.THIRD LDG ATMT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5229S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5229S), registered now, S/N 32-40933, built 1970 (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: Destroyed
- Airport: Laredo Intl

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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