Piper PA-28-200 accident near Lone Wolf, Oklahoma, February 3, 1997
On February 3, 1997 at about 10:20 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-200, registered N33322, was destroyed in an accident near Lone Wolf, Oklahoma. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to drugs, his resultant improper planning/decision, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude (clearance above a lake), while performing aerobatic flight. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's use of an aircraft that was not certified for aerobatic flight, and possible pilot distraction (diverted attention), when the engine momentarily lost power due to fuel starvation during inverted flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 3, 1997 · about 10:20 pm local time
- Place
- Lone Wolf, Oklahoma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-200 · all PA-28-200s on the register
- Registration
- N33322 · no longer on the register · serial 28R-7535134
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot met his two passengers at an airport where he purchased 10 gal of fuel. The airport attendant estimated that there was about 1 inch of fuel in each wing tank before he added 5 gal to each tank. The pilot commented to the attendant, 'let me see if I can't scar these guys to death.' Witnesses observed the airplane flying over a lodge area. They said the airplane was 'tilting at 90 degree angles on its wings.' Also, they reported the airplane went 'inverted,' and then nosed down and disappeared from view. It then crashed in a lake and was destroyed by impact. One witness stated that 'the motor was making a noise, as if it was getting gas and then not getting gas.' Another witness observed the airplane earlier that day doing 'tricks and stunts.' The airplane was restricted from inverted flight and was not approved for acrobatic maneuvers. During examination of the wreckage, flight control continuity was established, and no anomalies were found that would have resulted in a loss of power. Toxicology tests of the pilot's blood showed 0.008 mcg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol (marijuana), 0.014 mcg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (metabolite of marijuana), and 0.052 mcg/ml alprazolam. Tests of his urine showed 0.695 mcg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid, 0.071 mcg/ml dihydrocodeine, 0.155 mcg/ml hydrocodone, 0.338 mcg/ml hydromorphone, 4.8 mcg/ml acetaminophen, and an undetermined amount of alprazolam and alph-hydroxalprazolam. According to the FAA's Southwest Regional Flight Surgeon, 'the combined effects of these drugs would have caused impairment in the cockpit.'
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
- Flight time: 345 hours in all; 13 in this make and model; 238 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,618 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 21, 1996; 110 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AXS Altus OK at 9:50 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from LTS, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.