# NTSB FTW74AF089: Piper PA-23E, N777AV, Cresson, TX, June 8, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 8, 1974
- Place: Cresson, TX · CRESSON, TX
- Location: 32.5299° N, 97.6153° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cresson, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5299&lon=-97.6153&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 130136
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW74AF089
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74AF089

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2443   74/6/8    CRESSON,TEX         PIPER PA-23E        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 2302                    N777AV              PX-  5  0  0  CORP/EXEC                 AGE 27, 3000 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LUBBOCK,TEX                 FT WORTH,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
           WEATHER - TURBULENCE, ASSOCIATED W/CLOUDS AND/OR THUNDERSTORMS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               100
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          3 MILES OR LESS                                          THUNDERSTORM
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                      66
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          300                                                       13
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      IFR
        REMARKS- PENETRATED AREA OF FCST SVR TSTMS.FTW 2354CST WX.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N777AV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777AV-1974-09-18), registration cancelled 1974-09-18, S/N 27-7304992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23E
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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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