# NTSB FTW83FA164: Piper PA-24-260, N8652P, Salt Flat, TX, March 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1983, 12:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Salt Flat, TX
- Coordinates: 31.740695, -105.07901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7407&lon=-105.0790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20713/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA164

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - physical impairment(anoxia/hypoxia), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded (cause)
  - wing - overload (contributing factor)
  - flight control,aileron - overload (contributing factor)
  - flight control,stabilator surface - overload (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

BEFORE DEPARTING TUCSON, THE PLT WAS ADVISED OF 2 MARGINAL WX SYSTEMS ALONG HIS ROUTE. HE TOOK OFF AT 1038 MST. AT 1130,HE CONTACTED ATC & REPORTED AT 13,800'. FROM THEN UNTIL 1214, HIS ALT VARIED BETWEEN 10,000' & 16,000'. RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AT 1228 WHILE HE WAS BELOW 10,000'. AT 1240, HE REPORTED AT 12,5000', THEN CLIMBED TO 14,500' TO REESTABLISH RADAR CONTACT WITH ATC. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, RADAR & RADIO CONTACT WERE LOST. SCHOOL CHILDREN SAW THE ACFT BEFORE IT CRASHED. ACCORDING TO THEM, IT WAS IN LEVEL FLT AT APRX 3000' AGL (7000' MSL), THEN PITCHED NOSE DOWN, BEGAN SPINNING & CRASHED. THEY DID NOT SEE ANYTHING SEPARATE FROM THE ACFT. AN EXAM REVEALED THE LEFT OUTBOARD WING PANEL & PART OF THE LEFT AILERON HAD SEPARATED IN FLT. THE OUTER PORTION OF THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILATOR HAD FOLDED UPWARD. THE WING PANELWAS FOUND 3.5 MI AWAY WITH EVIDENCE IT HAD FAILED UP & AFT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE IN THE VICINITY OF MTNS. THE PLT HAD BEEN BRIEFED ON AREAS OF TURBULENCE, ICING, PRECPITAITON & DETERIORATING CEILINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8652P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4095
- Airframe hours: 2988
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ray D. Fryer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 24, 1983, 1 hours before
- Departed: TUS, TUCSON, AZ
- Destination: CNM, CARLSBAD, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 33 knots, gusting 46
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19830323009019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830323009019A), Mar 23, 1983: Piper PA24260, Salt Flat, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost portion of a wing in area of severe turbullence. Was subject to hypoxia due to flight altitude and no oxygen.

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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