# NTSB FTW84FA050: Piper PA-28-161, N8092Z, Devers, TX, November 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1983, 19:17 local (Nov 14, 1983, 01:17 UTC)
- Place: Devers, TX
- Coordinates: 30.020296, -94.579574 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0203&lon=-94.5796&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): 21081
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21081/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA050

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES WHILE MANEUVERING AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE AFTER DARK IN A POPULAR DEER HUNTING AREA. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED ROLLING INTO STEEP BANK WITH THE ENG 'REVVED UP' THEN SUDDENLY YAWED TOWARD THE GROUND. THE ACFT LIGHTS WERE ON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8092Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8092Z-1984-08-06), registration cancelled 1984-08-06, S/N 28-8016085 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8016085
- Airframe hours: 1559
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Professional Aviation Service
- Registered owner: Jessee Lopez
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 1983, 45 hours before
- Departed: PORTER, TX
- Destination: BMT, BEAUMONT, TX
- Flight plan: VFR

## 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; flight hours: 691 total, 3 in this make and model, 691 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH, 40 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 19831113058659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831113058659A), Nov 13, 1983: Piper PA28161, Devers, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Caught wingtip in trees during night treetop level step turn. May have been deer spotting. Severe impact force.

## Other investigations on N8092Z (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 FTW82DRA09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DRA09), Nov 12, 1981: Piper PA-28 (N8092Z), Beaumont, 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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