# NTSB FTW87FA123: Piper PA-32R-301, N81796, Porter, OK, May 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1987, 22:54 local (May 23, 1987, 03:54 UTC)
- Place: Porter, OK
- Coordinates: 35.859115, -95.520767 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8591&lon=-95.5208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22246
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22246/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA123

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT WAS OBSERVED IN A RT BANK WHEN IT EXPERIENCED AN INFLT BREAKUP. BOTH WINGS, VERT STAB AND RUDDER, AND THE HORZ STAB AND TRIM TAB SEPARATED PRIOR TO IMPACT. WX WAS DARK NIGHT WITH SCATTERED TO BROKEN CLOUD COVER, BUT VFR. ALTHOUGH A WX RPT 33 NM NORTHWEST OF THE SITE LISTED THE WX AS 10,000 SCT, 25,000 OVC, A GROUND WITNESS STATED THAT IT WAS CLOUDY, BUT THAT HE COULD SEE SOME STARS BETWEEN THE CLOUDS. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PVT PLT, WHO HAD CHECKED OUT IN THE ACFT THAT DAY, HAD BEEN RESTRICTED FROM NIGHT FLIGHT DUE TO NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FAR 61.109 (MINIMUM NIGHT TIME) WHEN HE RECEIVED HIS PVT CERT. INSTRUCTOR HAD WARNED HIM NOT TO ATTEMPT TO FLY SOLO AT NIGHT. ALL SEPARATION FRACTURES WERE OVERSTRESS. RT WING WAS STRUCK BY THE LFT WING AFTER IT SEPARATED IN A NEGATIVE MANNER. PLT HAD 2 HRS DUAL NIGHT LOGGED SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND ABOUT 45 MINS SOLO ON THE ACCIDENT FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81796](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81796-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 32R-8013081, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301) (registry code 7103218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-8013081
- Airframe hours: 1190
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-520-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dr. J. C. Rogers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1987, 40 hours before
- Departed: OK33, AFTON, OK
- Destination: HAX, MUSKOGEE, OK
- Airport: HAX, Hatbox

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 250 total, 8 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUL, 28 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 19870522015529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870522015529A), May 22, 1987: Piper PA32R301, Muskogee, OK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control on the dark cloudy night. Airframe breakup occurred from overland. Not endorsed for night operations.

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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