# NTSB FTW82FQA24: Piper PA-22, N1489A, Lake Arthur, NM, August 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1982, 09:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: Lake Arthur, NM
- Location: 32.9994° N, 104.3637° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lake Arthur, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9994&lon=-104.3637&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71312
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FQA24
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71312/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FQA24

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE ON A FLIGHT TO PICK UP SPARE PARTS. THE PASSENGER RECALLED THAT WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PILOT REMARKED, "OH, I CAN'T RESIST" AND STARTED TO DESCEND, THEN MADE A PASS AT ABOUT 50 FT OVER A FIELD HAND. THE FIELD HAND, A MEXICAN NATIONAL, REPORTED THAT THE PLANE MADE TWO PASSES OVER HIM AND HE JUMPED INTO A DITCH FOR FEAR OF BEING STRUCK. AFTER THE SECOND PASS, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK LEVEL GROUND WHILE IN A RELATIVELY LEVEL FLIGHT ATTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN CONVERTED/EQUIPPED WITH CONVENTIONAL GEAR (FIXED TAILWHEEL) ON 1/2/82.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1489A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1489A-1996-06-25), registration cancelled 1996-06-25, S/N 22399 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-399
- Airframe hours: 2032
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dennis Zumwalt
- Registered owner: Dennis Zumwalt
- Departed: ROSWELL, NM
- Destination: ARTESIA-ROSWELL, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 743 total, 72 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 171 °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 19820806034919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820806034919A), Aug 6, 1982: Piper PA22, Lake Arthur, NM, Substantial damage. Crashed into open field while buzzing a field worker.

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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