# NTSB FTW83FA361: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N2122Z, Seminole, TX, August 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1983, 19:20 local (Aug 7, 1983, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Seminole, TX
- Coordinates: 32.710815, -102.65068 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7108&lon=-102.6507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA361
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA361

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO THE FLT, THE PLT & PASSENGERS WERE OBSERVED DRINKING BEER IN A LOUNGE. THEY TOLD WITNESSES THAT THEY WERE GOING TO THE ARPT TO EAT & WERE LATER SEEN AT A RESTAURANT ON THE ARPT. AFTER THAT, THEY DECIDED TO FLY. THE TAKEOFF TIME & PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS NOT DETERMINED. AT ABOUT 1920 CDT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SUPPORT CABLE OF A LARGE ROTARY IRRIGATION SYS & CRASHED. THE COLLISION OCCURRED AT AN ALT OF APRX 20 FT AGL. NO KNOWN WITNESSES SAW THE ACCIDENT, BUT AN UNIDENTIFIED WITNESS TOLD LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL THAT HE SAW THE ACFT FLYING THRU THE SPRINKLER SPRAY PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. TWO OTHER WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT FLING LOW IN THE VICINITY. WITH THE IRRIGATION SPRINKLERS OPERATING, THE SUPPORT CABLES WERE HARD TO SEE. THE PLT'S BLOOD WAS CHECKED & AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.108% WAS FOUND. ALSO, THE PLT HAD A POSITIVE TEST FOR MARIJUANA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2122Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2122Z-1984-06-02), registration cancelled 1984-06-02, S/N 28R-7931147 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7931147
- Airframe hours: 822
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB1 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Long
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 1982, 59 hours before
- Departed: HOB, HOBBS, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOB, 25 nm away

## 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 19830806039069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830806039069A), Aug 6, 1983: Piper PA28RT201T, Seminole, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft collided with 20 foot high rotary irrigation system. Pilot had been noticed in bar just previous to crash.

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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