# NTSB FTW76AF066: Piper PA-32, N7721J, Waco, TX, February 19, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 19, 1976
- Place: Waco, TX · WACO, TX
- Location: 31.5493° N, 97.1467° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Waco, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5493&lon=-97.1467&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 2, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 152646
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW76AF066
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76AF066

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2836  76/2/19    WACO,TX             PIPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 2243                    N7721J              PX-  0  0  0  COMMUTER AIR CARRIER      32, 7951 TOTAL HOURS, 503
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-CARGO S-D        IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MADISON COOPER
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          WACO,TX                     AUSTIN,TX                    TEMPLE,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: DIRT BANK                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PLT DIDNT DRAIN TNKS AFTR FUEL PUT IN WNG TIP TNKS WHICH HAD BEEN EMPTY FOR PERIOD OF TIME
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7721J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7721J-1976-05-28), registration cancelled 1976-05-28, S/N 32-1123 (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: Madison Cooper

## 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 19760219032339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760219032339A), Feb 19, 1976: Piper PA32260, Waco, TX, Destroyed. Plt didnt drain tnks aftr fuel put in wng tip tnks which had been empty for period of time

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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