# NTSB FTW82FA171: Piper PA-28-161, N9697C, Lorenzo, TX, May 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1982, 05:07 local (10:07 UTC)
- Place: Lorenzo, TX
- Location: 33.6703° N, 101.5361° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lorenzo, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB coordinates: 36.75093, -94.840736 (estimated), outside the stated state
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6703&lon=-101.5361&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71481
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71481/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FA171

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - hail (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED WHILE THE PILOT WAS TRYING TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER A NIGHT TAKEOFF. MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS WERE FORECAST WITH THUNDERSTORMS PREDICTED. THE AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN AREA WHERE A THUNDERSTORM WAS IN PROGRESS. HIS COURSE TO THE AIRPORT WAS CORRECTED BY RADAR PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. THE PILOT HAD FLOWN THE PA-28 TYPE AIRCRAFT ON ONE PREVIOUS OCCASION. HE WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. WHEN THE PLANE CRASHED, IT IMPACTED AT HIGH SPEED IN ABOUT A 60 DEG LEFT BANK AND ABOUT A 45 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9697C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9697C-1983-09-12), registration cancelled 1983-09-12, S/N 287816516 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 78-16516
- Airframe hours: 975
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Lawton Pilot Service
- Registered owner: Ira Sawyer
- Departed: LUBBOCK, TX
- Destination: DUNCAN, OK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LBB, Lubbock Intl., runway 26, 8,001 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 176 total, 5 in this make and model, 129 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBB, 9 nm away

## 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 19820512005449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820512005449A), May 12, 1982: Piper PA28161, Lorenzo, TX, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into area of severe thunderstorms. Lost control and crashed. VFR pilot advised of possible weather en route.

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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