# NTSB FTW81FA033: Piper PA-38, N9242T, Del Rio, TX, February 13, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: February 13, 1981
- Place: Del Rio, TX · DEL RIO, TX
- Location: 29.3730° N, 100.8819° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Del Rio, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3730&lon=-100.8819&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127330
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FA033
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA033

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0198  81/2/13    DEL RIO,TX          PIPER PA-38         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 49, 268
        TIME - 2240                    N9242T              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 108 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HEREFORD,TX                 DEL RIO,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: OTHER
           STALL                                                    IN FLIGHT: OTHER
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - WEATHER SLIGHTLY WORSE THAN FORECAST
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  200
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          2 MILES OR LESS                                          DRIZZLE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      42
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          140                                                       6
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- ACFT OBSERVED AT LOW ALT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9242T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19810213003839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810213003839A), Feb 13, 1981: Piper PA38112, Del Rio, TX, Substantial damage. VFR pilot low on fuel in area of low ceiling & visibility. Airplane struck ground in a wings level dive.

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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