# NTSB LAX82FA275: Piper PA-601P, N3642T, South Of Wicken, AZ, July 24, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1982, 20:50 local (Jul 24, 1982, 03:50 UTC)
- Place: South Of Wicken, AZ
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72652
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA275
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72652/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA275

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight weather advisories - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - overload (cause)
  - wing - failure,total (cause)
  - wing - separation (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 1005 MST THE PLT RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING FOR A FLT TO FLORIDA WITH AN OVERNIGHT STAY IN TEXAS. THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WAS FORECAST ALONG THE PROPOSED ROUTE OF FLT. THE BRIEFER ADVISED THE PLT TO GET AN UPDATED BRIEFING BEFORE DEPARTURE BECAUSE OF THE DEVELOPING THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY & TO USE THE SERVICES OF ENROUTE FLIGHT WATCH OUTLETS IN OBTAINING PIREP INFORMATION. AT 2045 THE PLT CONTACTED PHOENIX TRACON & STATED HIS INTENTION TO LAND AT PHOENIX. THE PLT INDICATED HE WAS IN THE CLOUDS AT 17,500 FT. RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AT 2049. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND APPROXIMATELY 28 MI WNW OF LUKE AFB. PORTIONS OF BOTH WINGS WERE LOCATED 3 MI FROM THE WRECKAGE. THE ABOVE WX IS THE 2055 OBSERVATION AT LUKE AFB. THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTY DISPATCHED TO THE SCENE REPORTED STRONG WINDS & HEAVY ELECTRICAL STORMS IN THE AREA. A HELICOPTER PLT ESTIMATED A CEILING OF 1,500 FT OVERCAST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3642T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3642T-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 61P08278163435, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-601P
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-601p) (registry code 7106012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P827816343
- Airframe hours: 39
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Robert J. Mcclure
- Registered owner: Robert J. Mcclure
- Departed: C, TORRANCE, CA
- Destination: AI, PHOENIX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 311 total, 49 in this make and model, 164 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 185 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19820723034289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820723034289A), Jul 23, 1982: Piper PA60601P, Wickenburg, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Low time VFR pilot proceeded into area of severe weather. Lost control. Airframe separated in flight from overload.

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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