# NTSB FTW81FA132: Piper PA-32R, N304FW, Mount Hermon, LA, August 16, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 16, 1981
- Place: Mount Hermon, LA · MOUNT HERMON, LA
- Location: 30.9602° N, 90.2959° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mount Hermon, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9602&lon=-90.2959&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 2, 1982
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123546
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FA132
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FA132

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3127  81/8/16  NR.MOUNT HERMON,LA    PIPER PA-32R        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 45, 320
        TIME - 1600                    N304FW              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 120 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          DESTIN,FL                   ADDISON,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - TRAFFIC CONTROL PERSONNEL: FAILURE TO ADVISE OF UNSAFE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           AIRFRAME - WINGS: SPARS
           AIRFRAME - FLIGHT CONTROL SURFACES: HORIZONTAL STABILIZER, ATTACHMENTS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
           WEATHER - THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
           WEATHER - TURBULENCE, ASSOCIATED W/CLOUDS AND/OR THUNDERSTORMS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY RADIO
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                    8000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     THUNDERSTORM
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      79
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          120                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      VFR
        REMARKS- VFR FLT NOT RECOMMENDED.PLT NOT PROVIDED SIGMET DURING ENROUTE WX BRIEFING.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N304FW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N304FW-2013-10-25), registration cancelled 2013-10-25, S/N 32R-8129063 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (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 19810816049729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810816049729A), Aug 16, 1981: Piper PA32*, Mount Hermon, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control in severe turbulence in thunderstorm area. Airframe failed in flight. Late weather NOTAM not given.

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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