# NTSB FTW87FA025: Piper PA-32-260, N43302, Baytown, TX, December 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 3, 1986, 02:28 local (08:28 UTC)
- Place: Baytown, TX
- Coordinates: 29.800018, -94.970573 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8000&lon=-94.9706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22221
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22221/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA025

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM A DECOMMISSIONED, UNLIGHTED ARPT AT NIGHT AFTER TELLING FRIENDS IN A BAR THAT HE WAS GOING TO NEW ORLEANS. LATER, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT AS THE PLT MADE SEVERAL LOW PASSES OVER AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY NEAR THE DEPARTURE ARPT. WHILE MANEUVERING (AS IF TO LAND), THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES THAT WERE CROSSING THE ROAD, THEN THE PLANE CRASHED TO THE GROUND & BURNED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.261%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43302](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43302-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 32-7500036, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-7500036
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry T. Allen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Humphrey

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH

## 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 19861203063949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861203063949A), Dec 3, 1986: Piper PA32260, Baytown, TX, Destroyed. Intoxicated student pilot departed a unlighted closed airport at night. Hit wires crashed and burned on a highway.

## Other investigations on N43302 (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 MKC84LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA042), Dec 20, 1983: Piper PA-32-260 (N43302), Schuyler, NE, 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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