# NTSB FTW92LA187: Piper PA-28-161, N84102, Midland, TX, July 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1992, 12:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Midland, TX
- Location: 31.9973° N, 102.0779° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Midland, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9973&lon=-102.0779&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18538/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA187

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL FOR REASONS UNDETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL AREA FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE INITIALLY CONDUCTED A SERIES OF TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS. AFTER THE FOURTH LANDING THE PILOT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE MANEUVERING APPROXIMATELY 60 FT ABOVE THE GROUND ACROSS A SECTION OF A GOLF COURSE. AFTER THE OBSERVED LOW LEVEL MANEUVERS, THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN TO GAIN ALTITUDE MOMENTARILY AND BANK TO THE RIGHT AN ESTIMATED 80 DEG AND DESCEND INTO A GROVE OF TREES. DURING THE AUTOPSY THE PATHOLOGIST DETERMINED THAT THE PILOT EXHIBITED EVIDENCE OF SIGNIFICANT CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE AND OF AT LEAST TWO PAST HEART ATTACKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84102](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N84102-1993-02-02), registration cancelled 1993-02-02, S/N 288116265 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8116265
- Airframe hours: 3663
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: West Texas Gas Inc, doing business as Basin Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: West Texas Gas Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1992, 39 hours before
- Departed: MDD
- Destination: MDD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total, 52 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF, 7 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 19920723026899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920723026899A), Jul 23, 1992: Piper PA28161, Midland, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed banking steeply 60 feet above trees. Collided with trees. Severe coronary artery disease possible factor.

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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