# NTSB FTW82FPD09: Piper PA-36-375, N3802E, Saint Jo, TX, February 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1982, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Saint Jo, TX
- Location: 33.6941° N, 97.5221° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Saint Jo, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6941&lon=-97.5221&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FPD09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72459/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FPD09

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKING OFF TO THE SOUTH, THE PLANE WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO ABOUT 300 FT AGL, THEN TURN TO THE SOUTHWEST. P0WER WAS REDUCED, AND WITHIN THREE TO FIVE MILES, THE AIRCRAFT WAS TURNED BACK TOWARD THE AIRSTRIP. WHILE APPROACHING THE AIRSTRIP AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO BANK SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, ENTER A STEEP DESCENT, AND CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3802E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3802E-1982-10-07), registration cancelled 1982-10-07, S/N 36-7802008, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-36-375
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-375](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-375) (registry code 7103620) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 367802008
- Airframe hours: 456
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: P C Harris
- Registered owner: P C Harris
- Departed: SAINT JO, TX
- Destination: SAINT JO, TX
- Airport: Harris Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 247 total, 30 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 148 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °F

## 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 19820220004679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820220004679A), Feb 20, 1982: Piper PA36375, St Jo, TX, Destroyed. After takeoff aircraft climbed and headed back toward airport, then was observed diving vertically into ground.

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.