# NTSB FTW92FA180: Piper PA-28R-201T, N6959C, Tool, TX, July 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1992, 16:22 local (21:22 UTC)
- Place: Tool, TX
- Coordinates: 32.429988, -96.220413 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4300&lon=-96.2204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18365/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA180

## Probable cause

THE PILOT EXCEEDED THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRFRAME AS A RESULT OF FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - hazardous weather advisory - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm,level iii, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- 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

DURING AN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO PENETRATE A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH TOPS OF 45,000 FEET. THE PILOT REPORTED, DURING HIS LAST COMMUNICATIONS, THAT HE WAS ENCOUNTERING SEVERE TURBULENCE. THE AIRPLANE PIECES WERE SEEN TO FALL TO THE GROUND, SCATTERED OVER AN AREA OF 10 SQUARE MILES. SURFACE WINDS WERE ESTIMATED AT 40 MILES PER HOUR GUSTING TO 60 MILES PER HOUR WITH HEAVY RAIN. PRE FLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING IDENTIFIED THE HAZARDOUS WEATHER AND THE PILOT WAS ADVISED BY THE BRIEFER TO REMAIN ON THE GROUND UNTIL IT PASSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6959C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6959C-1992-12-15), registration cancelled 1992-12-15, S/N 28R7803242 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201T (PA-28R-201)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R-7803242
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-F 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Mag Well Incorporated
- Registered owner: Mag Well Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 1991, 252 hours before
- Departed: ARA, NEW IBERIA, LA
- Destination: DAL, DALLAS, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,139 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 40 knots, gusting 60
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920717025929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920717025929A), Jul 17, 1992: Piper PA28R201T, Tool, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Broke up inflight in area of severe thunderstorms. Was advised to stay on ground. Severe weather sigmets issued.

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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