Piper PA-32R-301T accident near Tucson, AZ
On August 30, 1984, a Piper PA-32R-301T (airplane) was involved in an accident near Tucson, AZ. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 30, 1984
- Place
- Tucson, AZ
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-301T · Airplane
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 32.170°N, 110.790°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001214X40750
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 29, 1984, about 2300 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, N4575L, collided with mountainous terrain in Saguaro National Park, near Tucson, Arizona. The aircraft was destroyed and the commercial pilot and his three passengers received fatal injuries. The aircraft was being operated by Flight Trails as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated from Palomar airport, Carlsbad, California, about 2100 Pacific daylight time on the evening of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. On August 30, 1997, hikers found the aircraft at the 7,500-foot level of the Rincon mountains about 21 miles east of Tucson International airport. The hikers observed that the paint on the aircraft was faded and that scrub oak had grown up through the wreckage. The engine had separated from the aircraft and was found downslope of the main wreckage. The only seat belt buckle found by the hikers was unlatched. A black leather satchel, containing approximately $30,000 to $50,000 of partially decomposed cash, was found in the wreckage. A partially burned .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol was also found. The aircraft was originally reported missing on August 30, 1984, and search efforts were later suspended when it was not located. The Safety Board processed a missing aircraft file, LAX84LAMS4, which is superseded by this file. A private investigator hired by the aircraft manufacturer developed information that indicated their initial destination was Houston, Texas
Probable cause
controlled flight into terrain that resulted from the pilot's failure to ensure a safe VFR altitude. The dark night, which restricted the pilot's view of terrain, was a factor in this accident.
More accidents in AZ
- De Havilland DHC-6-300, Sep 27, 1989
- Cessna 402C, Jun 19, 1992
- Piper PA-31-350, Aug 17, 1983
- Piper PA-31-350, Feb 13, 1995
- Cessna 421C, Sep 2, 1995
Browse: Arizona · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
