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NTSB Report
September 21, 1991 · Piper PA-28-150 · N5330W
Van Horn, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Van Horn, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-150
Tail Number
N5330W
Operator
W D Smith
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW91LA165
DURING A FLIGHT IN A STOLEN AIRPLANE THE STUDENT PILOT LOST CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. NO RECORD COULD BE FOUND THAT INDICATED THE STUDENT PILOT HAD EVER FLOWN WITH A CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR; HOWEVER, HE HAD BEEN OBSERVED CARRYING PASSENGERS ON RECENT FLIGHTS (ESTIMATED 4).
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.
Full Narrative
DURING A FLIGHT IN A STOLEN AIRPLANE THE STUDENT PILOT LOST CONTROL AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. NO RECORD COULD BE FOUND THAT INDICATED THE STUDENT PILOT HAD EVER FLOWN WITH A CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR; HOWEVER, HE HAD BEEN OBSERVED CARRYING PASSENGERS ON RECENT FLIGHTS (ESTIMATED 4).
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time04:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-150
Tail NumberN5330W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorW D Smith
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightNr
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT