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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

February 15, 1991 · Piper PA-32-300 · N6961C

Falfurrias, TX

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 15, 1991
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Location
Falfurrias, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-32-300
Tail Number
N6961C
Operator
Neal W Thurmond
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW91FA038

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.

NTSB 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.

Full Narrative

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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:46 CST
Nearest AirportBrooks County (0nm N)
Runway35
Runway Length5002 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-32-300
Tail NumberN6961C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorNeal W Thurmond
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1G5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Fatal5
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 17 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data