Piper PA-32R-300 accident near Rachel, TX
On September 9, 2004, a Piper PA-32R-300 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Rachel, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 9, 2004
- Place
- Rachel, TX
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-300 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 26.966°N, 98.251°W
- NTSB ID
- 20040928X01501
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT: On September 9, 2004, approximately 0614 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-300, N6209J, owned by a private individual and operated by San Antonio Piper, Inc., of San Antonio, Texas, was destroyed when it impacted the ground following an in-flight break up near Rachel, Texas. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. Dark night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the cargo flight being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. The flight originated from Stinson Municipal Airport (SSF), near San Antonio, Texas, at 0510 and was destined for Mc Allen Miller International Airport (MFE) near McAllen, Texas. According to radar data that was provided by Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), the airplane initially climbed to an en route cruising altitude of 9,000 feet mean sea level (msl) after departing from San Antonio. According to air traffic control (ATC) information provided by the FAA, the pilot requested to descend to 7,000 feet msl, at 0537. At 0556, the pilot reported that he "lost the vacuum pump," and at 0559, he requested to descend to 5,000 feet. Radar data depicted the airplane passing through 6,600 feet at 0606. At 0613, the pilot requested to divert to Brooks County Airport (prior to the request, radar depicted the airplane in a right turn from a heading of 180 degrees toward 130 degrees). The diversion to Brooks County was cleared by air traffic control and a controller asked the pilot if he needed a telephone number to
Probable cause
The total failure of the vacuum pump that resulted in an inoperative attitude gyro and spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of aircraft control by the pilot. Factors were; the prevailing instrument meteorological conditions, and the dark night light condition.
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Browse: Texas · 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.
