# NTSB FTW81FA086: Piper PA-60, N3642J, San Angelo, TX, May 7, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 7, 1981
- Place: San Angelo, TX · SAN ANGELO, TX
- Location: 31.4638° N, 100.4370° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Angelo, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4638&lon=-100.4370&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 29, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126691
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FA086
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA086

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0358   81/5/7    SAN ANGELO,TX       PIPER PA-60         CR-  0  1  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 45, 3022
        TIME - 1541                    N3642J              PX-  0  1  1  AIR TAXI-PASSG            TOTAL HOURS, 250 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MATHIS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SAN ANGELO,TX               RUIDOSO,NM
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           AIRFRAME - FUSELAGE: DOORS,DOOR FRAMES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY SECURED
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO ABORT TAKEOFF
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - PRODUCTION-DESIGN-PERSONNEL: INCORRECT FACTORY INSTALLATION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPER ALIGNMENT/ADJUSTMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - VIBRATION,EXCESSIVE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
                                  DOOR/PANEL OPEN
                                  AIRFRAME BUFFET
        REMARKS- UPPER DOOR OPN'D IMMEDIATELY AFTR T/O. PLT COULD NOT MAINTAIN CLIMB OR SPEED. DOOR OUT OF RIG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3642J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Mathis

## 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 19810507022549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810507022549A), May 7, 1981: Smith 601PSMITH, San Angelo, TX, Substantial damage. Failed to assure door secured prior to takeoff. Door open on climbout. Lost control, crash-landed off end of runway

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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