# NTSB FTW82DA311: Piper PA-34-200T, N304CW, Eagle Pass, TX, July 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1982, 13:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Eagle Pass, TX
- Coordinates: 28.700992, -100.489601 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7010&lon=-100.4896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70533
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA311
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70533/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA311

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE OVERFLEW THE RANCH STRIP AND LOOKED IT OVER BEFORE LANDING. HE STATED THAT HE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE FIRST 200 FT OF THE 2200 FT, ASPHALT RUNWAY, BUT EACH TIME THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE WHEELS WOULD LOCK AND SKID DUE TO LOOSE GRAVEL ON THE PAVEMENT. HE FURTHER STATED THAT WHEN HE KNEW HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO STOP ON THE RUNWAY, HE SHUT DOWN BOTH ENGINES AND TURNED THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RIGHT. HE DID THIS TO RUN THE AIRCRAFT ONTO A DYKE RATHER THAN HIT RAILROAD TIES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NOSE AND RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 3200 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N304CW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N304CW-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 34-7870153, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-200T
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200t) (registry code 7103406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-7870153
- Airframe hours: 1459
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Williams Aviation Co.
- Registered owner: Williams Aviation Co.
- Departed: MIDLAND, TX
- Destination: Y78, FRANKLIN, WI
- Airport: Giebel Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,825 total, 297 in this make and model, 3,700 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 203 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820726034079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820726034079A), Jul 26, 1982: Piper PA34200T, Eagle Pass, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot claims gravel on runway caused brakes to be ineffective, aircraft ran off runway and crashed into a dike.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.