# NTSB FTW88FA038: Piper PA-28R-200, N33007, Burnet, TX, December 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 18, 1987, 19:00 local (Dec 19, 1987, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Burnet, TX
- Coordinates: 30.759065, -98.220375 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7591&lon=-98.2204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA038

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ARRIVED IN THE AREA OF HIS PLANNED DESTINATION AND COMPLETED THE OUTBOUND AND INBOUND PROCEDURE TURNS FOR THE NDB RUNWAY 17 APPROACH WITHOUT REPORTED INCIDENT. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A LARGE OAK TREE ABOUT 15 FEET AGL OR 1265 FEET MSL, ON A HILLTOP 12 MILES NORTH OF AND INBOUND TO THE AIRPORT. HIS MDA WAS 1840 MSL OR 590 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHERE THE IMPACT OCCURRED. THE REQUIRED CHECKS OF THE ALTIMETER AND STATIC SYSTEM WERE CURRENT, HAVING BEEN CONDUCTED THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES NEAR THE ACCD SITE INDICATED THAT THE VISIBILITY AT ABT THE TIME OF THE ACCD WAS NEAR ZERO. INFO FM THE PLTS LOGBOOKS REVEALED THAT HE HAD FLOWN INTO THE ARPT ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR THE LAST 4 TO 5 YRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33007](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33007-2014-09-29), registration cancelled 2014-09-29, S/N 28R-7535106, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R7535106
- Airframe hours: 2026
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-CIC 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John H. Powell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1987, 59 hours before
- Departed: HOU, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: 4R2, HORSESHOE BAY, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 4R2, Horseshoe Bay, runway 17, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 983 total, 963 in this make and model, 899 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 42 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 19871218070649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871218070649A), Dec 18, 1987: Piper PA28R200, Marble Falls, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Hit a large oak tree on a hill inbound on adf approach. Below mda. Near zero visibility. Made approach many times.

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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