GOLDTHWAITE, TX, USA
N2LK
PIPER PA-32-260
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.
On December 2, 1994, approximately 1725 central standard time, a Piper PA-32-260, N2LK, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing near Goldthwaite, Texas. The private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The following is based on interviews with the pilot and the pilot operator report. The pilot had flown from Chino, California, to Deming, New Mexico. At Deming, the airplane was refueled and the pilot obtained a weather briefing, he was informed that he would be experiencing deteriorating ceilings along his proposed route of flight, before filing a VFR flight plan to Waco, Texas. En route to Waco, the pilot was in radio contact with Fort Worth Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). When he was about 100 miles from Waco, he began a descent due to deteriorating ceilings and elected to divert to Brownwood, Texas, his alternate. Due to deteriorating weather and reduced lighting conditions, he was unable to locate the Brownwood Airport and decided to make a precautionary landing in a cow pasture. During the landing roll, the airplane struck an barbed wire fence and nosed over into a creek. The pilot reported weather was partial obscuration, 3,500 feet overcast, 3 miles visibility in fog and drizzle.
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
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