# NTSB FTW91FA010: Piper PA-28R-200, N41586, Kingsland, TX, October 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1990, 14:37 local (19:37 UTC)
- Place: Kingsland, TX
- Coordinates: 30.659019, -98.450134 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6590&lon=-98.4501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91FA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23235/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA010

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO AVOID FLYING INTO THE MOUNTAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE FACE OF A CLIFF ABOUT 50 FEET BELOW THE CREST OF A MOUNTAIN THAT WAS THE ONLY HIGH TERRAIN WITHIN SEVERAL MILES. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR, VISIBILITY UNLIMITED. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL ATTITUDE, AND HAD BEEN TRIMMED IN A NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL, AND DID NOT HEAR OR SEE ANYTHING UNUSUAL. ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT HAD RESIGNED FROM HIS POSITION AS A BANK TELLER. ON THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT WAS CONFRONTED BY AUTHORITIES REGARDING THE EMBEZZLEMENT OF $6,218.16. THE PILOT STATED TO BANK OFFICIALS THAT HE WOULD MAKE RESTITUTION BY 1700 HRS THAT AFTERNOON. THE ACCIDENT OCCURED 4 HRS LATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41586](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41586-1991-05-21), registration cancelled 1991-05-21, S/N 28R7435204 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7435204
- Airframe hours: 3047
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-CIC 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wright Flyers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 19, 1990, 10 hours before
- Departed: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 249 total, 25 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 45 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 19901026047149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901026047149A), Oct 26, 1990: Piper PA28R200, Kingsland, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into sheer rock wall just below mountain top no deviation. Clear day light wind.

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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