# NTSB FTW82FA223: Piper PA-32R-301, N8442T, Hartshorne, OK, June 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1982, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Hartshorne, OK
- Coordinates: 34.829353, -95.550148 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8294&lon=-95.5501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70977
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70977/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FA223

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent
  - wing - overload
  - wing - separation (contributing factor)
  - stabilizer - overload (contributing factor)
  - wing - separation (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT WAS ADVISED BY RADIO OF A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCH ALONG HIS ROUTE. AT 1613 CDT, HE WAS ADVISED OF A LINE OF RADAR RETURNS ABOUT 10 MILES AHEAD. HE REPLIED THAT IT "LOOKS LIKE A SOFT SPOT THROUGH THERE, JUST TO THE NORTH OF OUR POSITION" AND CONTINUED. AT ABOUT 1621 CDT, THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. HE REPORTED THAT HE HAD LOST THE ENGINE (ENGINE QUIT) AND AN AILERON, AND THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS DOWN TO 5000 FT. (THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN AT 10,500 FT.) ABOUT 25 SECONDS LATER, HE STATED THAT THE PLANE WAS HARD TO CONTROL, HE WAS AT 2500 FT AND DESCENDING AND HE HAD LOST HIS RIGHT WING. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE INDICATED THE PLANE HAD IMPACTED IN A FLAT SPIN. THE EMPENNAGE, RIGHT AILERON AND A PORTION OF THE OUTER WING PANEL (FORWARD OF THE MAIN SPAR) HAD SEPARATED AND WERE NOT FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8442T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8442T-1989-03-20), registration cancelled 1989-03-20, S/N 32R8129109 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R8129109
- Airframe hours: 359
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Monco, Inc.
- Registered owner: Monco, Inc.
- Departed: TYR, TYLER, TX
- Destination: TUL, TULSA, OK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,500 total, 119 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft
- Temperature: 169 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLC, 20 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 19820615022429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820615022429A), Jun 15, 1982: Piper PA32R301T, Hartshorne, OK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. VFR pilot flew into area of thunderstorms. Airframe break-up occurred. Went down in a flat spin minus tail and wing

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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