# NTSB FTW76AF047: Piper PA-32, N3606W, San Marcos, TX, November 28, 1975

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 28, 1975
- Place: San Marcos, TX · SAN MARCOS, TX
- Location: 29.8833° N, 97.9414° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Marcos, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8833&lon=-97.9414&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 152092
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW76AF047
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76AF047

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4160  75/11/28   SAN MARCOS,TX       PIPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 26, 27 TOTAL
        TIME - 1125                    N3606W              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  HOURS, 7 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - LOWMAN FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BROWNSVILLE,TX              SAN MARCOS,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: TRAFFIC PATTERN-CIRCLING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               100
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/4 MILE OR LESS                                         DRIZZLE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       58
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          200                                                       4
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          BELOW MINIMUMS                                           NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- UNAUTH X-C FLT. HIT PWR LINES 25 FT AGL IN POOR WEA.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3606W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3606W-1976-02-24), registration cancelled 1976-02-24, S/N 32-504, built 1966 (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: Lowman Field

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19751128041449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19751128041449A), Nov 28, 1975: Piper PA32260, TX, 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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