# NTSB FTW84LA295: Piper PA-32RT-301T, N3571U, San Angelo, TX, June 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1984, 08:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: San Angelo, TX
- Location: 31.4638° N, 100.4370° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Angelo, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4638&lon=-100.4370&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21385
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA295
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21385/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA295

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly - fire (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
- Fire/explosion, standing

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS IN A CLIMB TO CRUISE WHEN HE SMELLED SMOKE. HE IMMEDIATELY TURNED BACK TOWARDS THE ARPT BUT THE CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE SO HE ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A PLOWED FIELD. AFTER LANDING THE ACFT WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3571U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3571U-2001-05-17), registration cancelled 2001-05-17, S/N 32R-8029032 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-301T (PA-32RT-30)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3248029032
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Air Exchange Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 1984, 53 hours before
- Departed: SJT, SAN ANGELO, TX
- Destination: MAF, MIDLAND, TX
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,320 total, 101 in this make and model, 1,159 as pilot in command, 343 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJT

## 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 19840630028609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840630028609A), Jun 30, 1984: Piper PA32R301T, San Angelo, TX, Destroyed. Engine fire erupted on climb to cruise. Made emergency landing in a field aircraft was consumed by the fire.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.