NTSB Identification: FTW82FA171
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, May 12, 1982 in LORENZO, TX
Probable Cause Approval Date: 05/12/1983
Aircraft: PIPER PA-28-161, registration: N9697C
Injuries: 4 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED WHILE THE PILOT WAS TRYING TO RETURN TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER A NIGHT TAKEOFF. MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS WERE FORECAST WITH THUNDERSTORMS PREDICTED. THE AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN AREA WHERE A THUNDERSTORM WAS IN PROGRESS. HIS COURSE TO THE AIRPORT WAS CORRECTED BY RADAR PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. THE PILOT HAD FLOWN THE PA-28 TYPE AIRCRAFT ON ONE PREVIOUS OCCASION. HE WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. WHEN THE PLANE CRASHED, IT IMPACTED AT HIGH SPEED IN ABOUT A 60 DEG LEFT BANK AND ABOUT A 45 DEG NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC..CONTINUED..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
AIRCRAFT HANDLING..NOT MAINTAINED..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
SPATIAL DISORIENTATION..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
LIGHT CONDITION..DARK NIGHT
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..HAIL
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..RAIN
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..LOW CEILING
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..FOG
Contributing Factors
LACK OF TOTAL INSTRUMENT TIME..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT..PILOT IN COMMAND
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