# NTSB FTW87FA088: Piper PA-28-181, N8191V, Marlin, TX, March 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1987, 12:57 local (18:57 UTC)
- Place: Marlin, TX
- Coordinates: 31.300346, -96.889144 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3003&lon=-96.8891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22237
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22237/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA088

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - wing,spar - fatigue (cause)
  - wing,spar - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN PIPELINE PATROL THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY OF 7490 FLT HRS. JUST BEFORE THE ACDNT, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED IN STRAIGHT & LVL FLT ALONG A PIPELINE RIGHT-OF-WAY. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT WAS AT LOW ALT WHEN A WING SEPARATED & THE ACFT PLUNGED TO THE GROUND. THE LEFT WING WAS FND 588' FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED IT HAD SEPD AT THE WING ROOT FROM FATIGUE FAILURE. THE FATIGUE HAD ORIGINATED NEAR ONE OF THE OUTBOARD CARRY-THROUGH ATTACHMENT BOLT HOLES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8191V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8090115
- Airframe hours: 7490
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Griffin Pipeline Patrol Co.
- Registered owner: M. E. Griffin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1986, 1,082 hours before
- Departed: F18, CLEBURNE, TX
- Destination: CXO, CONROE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,144 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 7,630 as pilot in command, 352 in the last 90 days, 127 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 20 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACT, 15 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 19870330007819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870330007819A), Mar 30, 1987: Piper PA28181, Marlin, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Wing separated from aircraft on low level pipeline patrol. Impacted in field. Spar fracture due to metal fatigue.

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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