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NTSB Report
March 30, 1987 · Piper PA-28-181 · N8191V
Marlin, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 30, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Marlin, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N8191V
Operator
Griffin Pipeline Patrol
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW87FA088
THE ACFT HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN PIPELINE PATROL THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY OF 7490 FLT HRS. JUST BEFORE THE ACDNT, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED IN STRAIGHT & LVL FLT ALONG A PIPELINE RIGHT-OF-WAY. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT WAS AT LOW ALT WHEN A WING SEPARATED & THE ACFT PLUNGED TO THE GROUND. THE LEFT WING WAS FND 588' FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED IT HAD SEPD AT THE WING ROOT FROM FATIGUE FAILURE. THE FATIGUE HAD ORIGINATED NEAR ONE OF THE OUTBOARD CARRY-THROUGH ATTACHMENT BOLT HOLES.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN PIPELINE PATROL THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY OF 7490 FLT HRS. JUST BEFORE THE ACDNT, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED IN STRAIGHT & LVL FLT ALONG A PIPELINE RIGHT-OF-WAY. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT WAS AT LOW ALT WHEN A WING SEPARATED & THE ACFT PLUNGED TO THE GROUND. THE LEFT WING WAS FND 588' FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED IT HAD SEPD AT THE WING ROOT FROM FATIGUE FAILURE. THE FATIGUE HAD ORIGINATED NEAR ONE OF THE OUTBOARD CARRY-THROUGH ATTACHMENT BOLT HOLES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:57 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN8191V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGriffin Pipeline Patrol
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 20 kt, gusting 27 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 16 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:30
Weather SourceWFAC