# NTSB FTW85FA079: Piper PA-38-112, N9249T, Laredo, TX, December 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 18, 1984, 21:53 local (Dec 19, 1984, 03:53 UTC)
- Place: Laredo, TX
- Coordinates: 27.549823, -99.459655 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5498&lon=-99.4597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21516/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA079

## 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 - base turn
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A DOWNWIND LEG OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AT A LOW ALT (ESTIMATED 100 FT AGL). THE WITNESS LOOKED AWAY FOR A MOMENT. WHEN HE LOOKED BACK, HE DID NOT SEE THE ACFT. A SEARCH WAS INTIATED & THE ACFT WAS FOUND WHERE IT HAD CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. TOXICOLOGICAL CHECKS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD AND URINE BY CAMI SHOWED ALCOHOL LEVELS OF 0.406% AND 0.075% RESPECTIVELY. A TOXICOLOGICAL TEST PERFORMED BY MERCY HOSPITAL, LAREDO, TX, SHOWED A BAC LEVEL OF 0.112%. VARIANCE BETWEEN ALCOHOL LEVELS IN THE BLOOD AND URINE SIMILIAR TO THIS CASE CAN ALSO RESULT WHEN THE INDIVIDUAL IS IN AN ABSORPTIVE STATE. THE PLT HAD NOT LOGGED ANY NIGHT TIME IN THE PREVIOUS 90 DAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9249T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9249T-2013-09-17), registration cancelled 2013-09-17, S/N 38-78A0296, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0296
- Airframe hours: 398
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Enriquez Douglas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: LRD
- Airport: LRD, Larendo Intl., runway 17C, 7,810 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 152 total, 39 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LRD

## 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 19841218070689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841218070689A), Dec 18, 1984: Piper PA38112, Laredo, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impacted ground 90 degree nose down on airport. Pilot flying while intoxicated and with limited night experience.

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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