# NTSB FTW83FA253: Piper PA28R200, N41761, Decatur, TX, May 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1983, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Decatur, TX
- Coordinates: 33.230411, -97.590187 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2304&lon=-97.5902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20729
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA253
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20729/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA253

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather forecast - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING DUE TO POOR WX THE PILOT OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING DURING WHICH HE WAS TOLD OF A LONG LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS 150 MILES WIDE COVERING THE AREA IN WHICH HE WAS LOCATED. THE PILOT DEPARTED & THEN ATTEMPTED TO LAND AT AN AIRPORT 15 MILES AWAY IN GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS WITH LOW CEILINGS & RAIN. THE ACFT STALLED ON FINAL APCH & IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41761](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41761-1983-09-13), registration cancelled 1983-09-13, S/N 28R-7435215, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA28R200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7435215
- Airframe hours: 1628
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: C & M Aero Service
- Registered owner: B.W. Curts
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1983, 14 hours before
- Departed: 1F9, BRIDGEPORT, TX
- Destination: RVS, TULSA, OK
- Airport: 8F7, Decatur Municipal, runway 17, 2,550 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 105 total, 6 in this make and model, 52 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °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 19830530021449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830530021449A), May 30, 1983: Piper PA28R200, Decatur, TX, Destroyed. VFR pilot departed in area of low ceilings and thunderstorms. Impact angle indicated loss of control of aircraft.

## Other investigations on N41761 (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 FTW75FPA11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75FPA11), Oct 15, 1974: Piper PA-28 (N41761), Plano, TX, 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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