Piper PA-32-260 accident near Goldthwaite, Texas, December 2, 1994
On December 2, 1994 at about 11:25 pm local time, a Piper PA-32-260, registered N2LK, was substantially damaged in an accident near Goldthwaite, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S ATTEMPTED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE FOG AND LOW CEILINGS, AND THE REDUCED LIGHT CONDITIONS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 2, 1994 · about 11:25 pm local time
- Place
- Goldthwaite, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-260 · all PA-32-260s on the register
- Registration
- N2LK · no longer on the register · serial 32-727
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE EN ROUTE FROM DEMING, NM, TO WACO, TX, THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WEATHER AND ELECTED TO DIVERT TO BROWNWOOD, TX, HIS ALTERNATE. PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE FROM DEMING, NEW MEXICO, HE HAD RECEIVED A COMPLETE WEATHER BRIEFING. THE BRIEFER INFORMED HIM THAT THE WEATHER ALONG HIS PROPOSED ROUTE OF FLIGHT WOULD BE DETERIORATING. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE ALTERNATE AIRPORT DUE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY AND THE LIGHT CONDITIONS, SO HE DECIDED TO LAND IN A COW PASTURE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A BARBED WIRE FENCE AND NOSED OVER INTO A CREEK.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 445 hours in all; 39 in this make and model; 235 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,900 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 15, 1994; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DMN Deming NM at 6:45 pm
- Destination: BWD Brownwood TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 315° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.