# NTSB FTW87FA078: Piper PA-28-151, N6785F, Kerrville, TX, March 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1987, 19:15 local (Mar 16, 1987, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Kerrville, TX
- Coordinates: 30.039196, -99.129356 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0392&lon=-99.1294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22234
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22234/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA078

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - airspeed - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT PILOT CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS. THE ACFT STRUCK TOP OF RIDGELINE WHILE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND WAS DEMOLISHED. NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6785F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7715179
- Airframe hours: 3151
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: High Country Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 9, 1986, 130 hours before
- Departed: E38, ALPINE, TX
- Destination: ERV, KERRVILLE, TX
- Airport: ERV, Kerrville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 112 total, 10 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ERV, 9 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 19870315006409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870315006409A), Mar 15, 1987: Piper PA28151, Kerrville, TX, Destroyed, 3 fatal. The aircraft struck trees while flying in an area of low ceilings. Suspect VFR pilot entered IFR conditions.

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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