Piper PA-23-235 incident near Mineral Wells, Texas, November 10, 1998
On November 10, 1998 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-23-235, registered N4927P, was involved in an incident near Mineral Wells, Texas (Mineral Wells airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot-in-command's incapacitation due to cardiovascular disease.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 10, 1998 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Mineral Wells, Texas · Mineral Wells · map
- Type
- Incident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-23-235 · all PA-23-235s on the register
- Registration
- N4927P · no longer on the register · serial 27-512
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot rated passenger stated that, the multi-engine airplane was within 5 nautical miles of the airport and the pilot-in-command (PIC) was maneuvering the airplane on a VOR approach (practice instrument approach). The PIC maneuvered the airplane into a descending left turn to remain on course. 'Within two to three seconds,' the airplane entered a 'steep descent.' The PIC entered a state of unconsciousness and, subsequently, died. The 600 hour pilot rated passenger, who was rated to fly single engine aircraft, took control of the airplane. The passenger who was seated in the rear of the airplane contacted personnel at the airport over the Unicom frequency. He requested that emergency personnel be contacted and requested that a multi-engine rated pilot assist the pilot with landing procedures. The pilot rated passenger, assisted by an airline pilot via radio, landed the airplane without incident and emergency medical personnel met the airplane. Autopsy findings showed that the PIC (who held a valid third class medical certificate) died of a heart attack.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 30,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 4,800 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental O-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MWL at 3:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 5,094 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:54 pm from MWL, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 1 | ||
| Passengers | 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.