Piper PA32RT accident near Palo Pinto, Texas, August 7, 2012
On August 7, 2012 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Piper PA32RT, registered N36103, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Palo Pinto, Texas (Sportsman'S World Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and a proper pitch attitude and airspeed while performing a go-around.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 7, 2012 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Palo Pinto, Texas · Sportsman'S World Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA32RT 300 · all PA32RTs on the register
- Registration
- N36103 · no longer on the register · serial 32R-7885161
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was performing a go-around when the airplane impacted trees off the east side of and about 1/3 of the distance down the runway. The pilot stated that the airplane did not attain a climb rate to clear the trees and that he flew the airplane at an airspeed close to stall. The pilot did not fly over the remaining runway, which would have provided obstacle clearance to a safe altitude. Also, flight near stall speed or a high pitch attitude provides a high drag condition, which results in reduced climb performance. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,500 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: July 25, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,785 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 9, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BMQ Burnet TX at 2:00 pm
- Destination: Palo Pinto TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 4,200 ft by 65 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from RPH, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.