# NTSB FTW80FA046: Piper PA-32, N56482, Ardmore, OK, February 20, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 20, 1980
- Place: Ardmore, OK · ARDMORE, OK
- Location: 34.1743° N, 97.1436° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ardmore, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1743&lon=-97.1436&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 22, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132260
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80FA046
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FA046

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0101  80/2/20  NR.ARDMORE,OK         PIPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 36, 475
        TIME - 1910                    N56482              PX-  4  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 60 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          HOBBS,NM                    CHATTANOOGA,OK              ARDMORE,OK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INITIATED FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY RADIO
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          2 MILES OR LESS                                          NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          DUST                                                      75
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          230                                                       14
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- SIGMET ADVISING-VSBYS FQTLY BLO 3MI,CIGS LCLY BLO 1000FT DUE TO BD.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56482](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56482-1982-12-02), registration cancelled 1982-12-02, S/N 32-7340185 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19800220002949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800220002949A), Feb 20, 1980: Piper PA32300, Ardmore, OK, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Warned of poor visibility due to blowing dust. Departed into same. Lost control of airplane.

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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