# NTSB FTW83FRA01: Piper PA-28-140, N3858K, Woodville, TX, October 31, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1982, 23:25 local (Oct 31, 1982, 04:25 UTC)
- Place: Woodville, TX
- Coordinates: 30.769239, -94.419845 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7692&lon=-94.4198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73094
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FRA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73094/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FRA01

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - qualification, pilot in command
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, other
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 2310 CDT, THE OWNER/PILOT AND TWO OTHER PERSONS TOOK OFF FROM THE TYLER COUNTY AIRPORT AT WOODVILLE, TX. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER, THE PLANE CRASHED AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE RUNWAY (16/34) AND A PERPENDICULAR TAXIWAY. IMPACT AND PROPELLER STRIKE MARKS WERE FOUND ON THE RUNWAY. THE IMPACT OCCURRED ON A HEADING OF 280 DEG AND CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT OF THE TAXIWAY. AFTER IMPACTING, THE PLANE TRAVELED ABOUT 230 FT ONTO A RAMP AND STRUCK TWO PARKED AIRCRAFT, CESSNA 182, N7256E AND PIPER PA-28, N1471T. AN INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND A TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION. ABOUT 40 MILES NORTH NORTHWEST AT LUFKIN, TX, THE WEATHER WAS PARTIALLY OBSCURED, 400 FT THIN BROKEN, VISIBILITY 1 MI WITH FOG, WIND 150 AT 6 KTS. THE OWNER HELD A STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE DATED 6/27/80 (EXPIRED) WITH LIMITATIONS, NOT VALID FOR NIGHT OR BY COLOR CONTROL SIGNAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3858K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3858K-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 28-23751, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23751
- Airframe hours: 4507
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elton Joseph Businelle
- Registered owner: Elton Joseph Businelle
- Departed: 09R, WOODVILLE, TX
- Destination: 09R, WOODVILLE, TX
- Airport: 09R, Woodville, runway 16, 4,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; medical: unknown; flight hours: 68 total, 15 in this make and model, 35 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark

## 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 19821030057419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821030057419A), Oct 30, 1982: Piper PA28140, Woodville, TX, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Pilot departed in IMC, approximately 15 minutes after takeoff, crash occurred.

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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