# NTSB FTW80FA118: Piper PA-32, N8194Y, Smithfield, TX, September 19, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 19, 1980
- Place: Smithfield, TX · SMITHFIELD, TX
- Location: 32.8710° N, 97.2153° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Smithfield, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8710&lon=-97.2153&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128481
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80FA118
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FA118

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2696  80/9/19    SMITHFIELD,TX       PIPER PA-32         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 45, 599
        TIME - 0150                    N8194Y              PX-  1  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 45 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SMITHVILLE MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          COLORADO SPRINGS,CO         HOUSTON,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - PILOT FATIGUE
           WEATHER - THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                 UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                      79
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- PLT & PAX ON DUTY 22HRS.R WING,EMPENNAGE SEPD.ACFT FOUND 9/20/80.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8194Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8194Y-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 32R-8029087 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301) (registry code 7103218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Smithville Muni

## 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 19800919042379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800919042379A), Sep 19, 1980: Piper PA32R301T, Smithville, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. In flight break up. Thunderstorms in area. Factors dark night, no recent weather check, pilot fatigue.

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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