- Date
- February 15, 1991, 16:46 local (22:46 UTC)
- Place
- Falfurrias, TX
- Injuries
- 5 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N6961CPiper PA-32-300
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report July 23, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19910215002629A
- Case key
- 23248
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions, the pilot not maintaining airspeed above vs during the go-around attempt and the pilot's impairment due to drugs. Factors were the gusting crosswind conditions and the pilot's lack of total aircraft experience.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The low-time private pilot attempted an approach to land with winds from 070 degrees at 17, gusting to 25 knots, that exceeded the cross wind landing capability of the aircraft. He had his flaps set at ten degrees. Eyewitnesses observed the aircraft attempting a go-around and viewed it turning downwind at a low altitude over the airport terminal and ramp. They stated that it banked approximately ninety degrees to the left before it descended uncontrolled and impacted the terrain. A left wing fuel cell ruptured upon impact and fuel ignited as the aircraft slid over the ground and onto another runway where it burned. Toxicological test results were positive for prescription antihistamines with sedative added. The supervisor forensic toxicology research section at cami stated the amounts were above therapeutic levels that would have impacted pilot performance.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N6961C
- Reported as
- Piper PA-32-300
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 32-7840090
- Engine
- Lycoming IO-540-K1G5, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Neal W. Thurmond
- Registered owner
- Neal W. Thurmond
- Departed
- SAT · San Antonio, TX
- Airport
- J18 · Brooks County, runway 35, 5,002 × 75 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 46
- Certificate
- Student
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 104 total · 34 in this make and model · 50 as pilot in command · 19 in the last 90 days · 19 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 70° at 17 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 64 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.