# NTSB FTW86FPA14: Piper PA-32-300T, N82072, Saginaw, TX, January 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1986, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Saginaw, TX
- Coordinates: 32.909721, -97.430282 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9097&lon=-97.4303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21926
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FPA14
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21926/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FPA14

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object

## Analysis

PILOT LONG DEPARTED BIG SPRING, TEXAS WITH TWO PASSENGERS VFR TO SAGINAW AIRPORT, SAGINAW, TEXAS. THE PILOT WAS FLYING TO MWL, VOR 065 RADIAL, DESCENDING TO PATTERN ALTITUDE AT SAGINAW AIRPORT. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD NOT BEEN TO THAT AIRPORT PREVIOUSLY. HEAVY SMOKE FROM A GRASS FIRE BURNOFF WAS OBSCURING A LARGE AREA TO THE NORTH AND EAST OF THE SAGINAW AIRPORT RUNWAY. PILOT LONG ENTERED THE SMOKE AREA, IDENTIFIED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A RUNWAY AND LANDED. THE AIRPLANE LANDED ON A STREET APPROXIMATELY 3/4 MILE EAST OF SAGINAW AIRPORT AND STRUCK A TWO-INCH PIPE WARNING SIGN RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WING. THERE WAS NO FIRE AND NO INJURIES. THE ELT WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THE FAA INVESTIGATOR WAS AT THE TAKEOFF END OF THE SAGINAW AIRPORT AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDENT AND OBSERVED THE HEAVY GRASS FIRE SMOKE OBSCURING A LARGE AREA ACROSS THE APPROACH END TO SAGINAW AIRPORT AND THE ILS FINAL APPROACH COURSE TO MEACHAM FIELD. PILOT LONG IS BLIND IN HIS LEFT EYE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N82072 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300T
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-8124031
- Airframe hours: 388
- Engines: LYCOMING T10-540 SPAD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elbert M. Long
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 8, 1985, 62 hours before
- Departed: BIG SPRING, TX
- Destination: SAGINAW, TX
- Airport: Saginaw, runway 17, 2,600 × 20 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 2 nm away

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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