# NTSB FTW89LA100: Piper PA-32R, N3279Q, Stratford, TX, May 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1989, 21:12 local (May 30, 1989, 02:12 UTC)
- Place: Stratford, TX
- Coordinates: 36.329982, -102.069679 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3300&lon=-102.0697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22868
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22868/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA100

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  THE WIND CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

DURING AN APPROACH TO LAND, THE PILOT INITIATED A GO-AROUND AFTER ENCOUNTERING A WIND SHIFT.  CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WAS LOST DURING THE GO-AROUND AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE.  THE PILOT REPORTED WINDS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE WERE FROM 160 DEGREES GUSTING TO 50 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3279Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3279Q-1990-01-13), registration cancelled 1990-01-13, S/N 32R7780302 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-7780302
- Airframe hours: 1167
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sherman Implement Co.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 1988, 19 hours before
- Departed: TUL, TULSA, OK
- Airport: Q70, Stratford, runway 22, 3,200 × 32 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,256 total, 1,140 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 50 knots, gusting 50
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHT, 25 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 19890529013159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890529013159A), May 29, 1989: Piper PA32R300, Straford, TX, Destroyed. Tried to land in strong gusty quartering tailwind. Lost control, vertical bank, leveled. Impacted at high speed.

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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