# NTSB FTW81FA050: Piper PA-28, N3945M, El Paso, TX, March 20, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: March 20, 1981
- Place: El Paso, TX · EL PASO, TX
- Location: 31.7587° N, 106.4869° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of El Paso, TX, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7587&lon=-106.4869&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 13, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FA050
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA050

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0616  81/3/20    EL PASO,TX          PIPER PA-28         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 31, 197
        TIME - 1914                    N3945M              PX-  1  1  0  PRACTICE                  TOTAL HOURS, 106 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - EL PASO INTL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          LAS CRUCES,NM               RETURN                       EL PASO,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: MUSH                                              LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - SUDDEN WINDSHIFT
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      56
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          290                                                       27
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- WIND GUSTING 31KTS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3945M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3945M-1982-09-24), registration cancelled 1982-09-24, S/N 28-7890343, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: El Paso Intl

## 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 19810320011269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810320011269A), Mar 20, 1981: Piper PA28181, El Paso, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Hit sand dune off approach end of runway on practice ILS approach. Gusty surface winds.

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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