# NTSB FTW82FRG39: Piper PA-23-250, N148AF, Bandera, TX, August 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1982, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Bandera, TX
- Coordinates: 29.720367, -99.070594 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7204&lon=-99.0706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69878
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FRG39
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69878/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FRG39

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - performed, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE RETURNING FROM MEXICO, THE PILOT LANDED AT EAGLE PASS, TX AND CLEARED U.S. CUSTOMS. WITHOUT REFUELING OR OBTAINING A WEATHER BRIEFING, HE CONTINUED TOWARD HIS HOME AIRFIELD AT THE FLYING L RANCH NEAR BANDERA, TX. LOCAL WEATHER OBSERVATIONS INDICATED THAT THERE WERE THUNDERSTORMS AND HEAVY RAINS AT THE FLYING L RANCH, BUT ONLY LIGHT RAIN TO THE SOUTH. APPROACHING FROM THE SOUTH, THE PILOT FLEW OVER THE RANCH OF A BUSINESS ASSOCIATE, THEN PROCEEDED NORTH TOWARD THE FLYING L RANCH. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE PILOT RETURNED. BY THIS TIME, LIGHT PRECIPITATION WAS JUST BEGINNING WHILE LIGHTNING AND HEAVIER RAIN SHOWERS WERE OBSERVED TO THE NORTH. THE WIND WAS FROM 270 DEG AT 20, GUSTING 25 KTS. THE PILOT APPROACHED AN OPEN FIELD BEHIND HIS FRIENDS PROPERTY FROM THE NORTH, LANDED, THEN INITIATED A GO-AROUND. DURING THE GO-AROUND, THE PLANE HIT THE TOPS OF 3 TREES, PITCHED NEARLY STRAIGHT UP INTO A HALF LOOP, THEN STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THERE WAS 20 TO 25 GAL OF FUEL REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N148AF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N148AF-1982-09-23), registration cancelled 1982-09-23, S/N 27-266 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27-266
- Airframe hours: 6157
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AIDS 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Norman K. Evans
- Registered owner: Norman K. Evans
- Departed: EAGLE PASS, TX
- Destination: T33, FLYING L. RANCH, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,795 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,741 as pilot in command, 212 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °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 19820808034869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820808034869A), Aug 8, 1982: Piper PA23250, Bandera, TX, Destroyed. Pilot making apparent landing approach to field, decided to go-around and aircraft hit trees and crashed.

## Other investigations on N148AF (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI68F0469](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68F0469), Dec 5, 1967: Piper PA-23 (N148AF), Cottage Hill, IL, substantial damage

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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