# NTSB investigations, 1987, TX NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. Page 1 of 4 · 195 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB FTW88DPA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DPA02.md): Cessna 150M · Gainesville, TX · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Dec 27, 1987 · N63385 · Substantial damage > The pilot lost engine power due to a throttle cable which failed during flight. He then made a 360 degree turn to lose altitude before initiating an emergency landing on an airport. He lost excessive altitude during the turn which resulted in an off-airport… - [NTSB FTW88LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA041.md): Cessna 172XP · Godley, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 1987 · N736AN · Substantial damage > During a cross country flight, the weather worsened. Visibility decreased and the ceiling lowered, forcing the pilot to descend in order to remain VFR. The pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing in a field. During landing roll the pilot noticed a… - [NTSB FTW88FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA038.md): Piper PA-28R-200 · Burnet, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 1987 · N33007 · Destroyed > The pilot arrived in the area of his planned destination and completed the outbound and inbound procedure turns for the NDB runway 17 approach without reported incident. Almost immediately thereafter, the aircraft impacted a large oak tree about 15 feet AGL… - [NTSB FTW88DRG04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRG04.md): MBB 109 · Harlingen, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Dec 19, 1987 · N8575 · Destroyed > The set of floats which allows a high fuel flow in this carburetor for high power settings used for takeoff, climb, etc., had cracked and swollen to such an extent that they were rubbing against the float chamber walls and float chamber shroud tubes. This… - [NTSB FTW88LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA040.md): Hughes 269A-1 · Eldorado, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 1987 · N8945F · Substantial damage > While the pilot was attempting to land in a clearing, the main rotor blades contacted a tree causing the aircraft to descend uncontrolled for about 40 feet. The helicopter struck the ground in a nose low attitude causing damage to the skids, bubble, rotor… - [NTSB MKC88FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA026.md): Varga 2150A · Conroe, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 1987 · N4VK · Destroyed > The pilot took off for a short flight without being sure of his fuel quantity. He was not able to locate his destination which was 32 NM from his departure airport. The engine stopped and the pilot attempted a forced landing. During the forced landing, the… - [NTSB FTW88FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA036.md): Bell 412 · Galveston, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 1987 · N3910U · Destroyed > The acft landed hard in the gulf of Mexico during an autorotation that was entered following the separation of the 90 degree gearbox. The gearbox (with tail rotor blades) separated due to an imbalance. However, the gearbox was not recovered during the… - [NTSB FTW88FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA035.md): Lockheed 250 TRI-GEAR · Dallas, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 1987 · N400NY · Destroyed > The right engine of the aircraft failed three times in flight. After the last failure near the middle marker the pilot feathered the propeller. The aircraft collided with power lines and the ground about 400 yards short of runway 31 at the redbird airport.… - [NTSB FTW88DPA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DPA01.md): Bell 206B · Dallas, TX · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Dec 4, 1987 · N206DW · Substantial damage > The fuel pump warning light came on and the pilot headed for a local airport. Enroute, the engine surged and flamed out. During the landing, the rotor blades hit trees, and the helicopter made a hard landing. The fuel gage indicated 11 gallons. Later the gage… - [NTSB FTW88IA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88IA037.md): Boeing 727-243 · Houston, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 1987 · N571PE · Minor damage > Improper drilling of the cross hole in the slat track bearing bolt, which led to its failure from fatigue cracking. - [NTSB FTW88FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA033.md): Beech 95-B55 · Commerce, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 1987 · N5934S · Destroyed > The purpose of the flight was to satisfy an insurance requirement that the owner receive 10 hours of dual instruction in this aircraft. The dual controls had been removed and the single control was on the left side. The aircraft was observed in a clockwise… - [NTSB FTW88FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA032.md): Beech H35 · Port Mansfield, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 1987 · N5568D · Destroyed > The plt rcvd svrl wx briefings bfr tkof & was adzd of convective activity along the initial route of flt north of the arpt. The planned dep route was twd the wx. While discussing altn routing possibilities, the plt indcd he would ask ATC for deviation arnd… - [NTSB FTW88LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA030.md): Cessna 185 · Burnet, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 1987 · N7370H · Substantial damage > During landing roll, the aircraft drifted to the left of the runway centerline. Witnesses then observed the aircraft veer to the right and ground loop coming to rest off the end of the runway. Attempts to contact the student plt have not been successful. - [NTSB FTW88FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA028.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Lancaster, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 1987 · N8980J · Destroyed > The pilot received a weather report indicating that IFR conditions prevailed. After takeoff the airplane traveled approximately 1/2 mile before it crashed. Pilot was not instrument rated and had very little total time. He did have three hours of night time… - [NTSB FTW88LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA026.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Dallas, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 11, 1987 · N876Q · Substantial damage > The plt reported that the acft was no. 3 in the pattern for landing on rwy 17. He said carb heat was applied on downwind and eng power was used until the acft was on a 3 mi final. At that point pwr was reduced and a glide was established. A short time later… - [NTSB FTW88IA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88IA025.md): Piper PA-34-220T · El Paso, TX · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 1987 · N83931 · Minor damage > The pilot stated that the nose baggage door was properly closed and locked before takeoff but it came open during the aircraft's initial climb at about 200 feet AGL. He made an immediate descent and landed on the remaining runway. He delayed the leveloff… - [NTSB FTW88FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA024.md): Cessna 140 · Bryan, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 1987 · N72137 · Destroyed > The student plt took off at ngt with a passenger aboard. After takeoff, he remained in a left traffic pattern & made a low apch. Witnesses rprtd the plt then entered a rgt pattern, but the acft was lower & slower than normal as it was turning on the 2nd apch… - [NTSB FTW88DRG03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRG03.md): Herman Dragonfly · New Braunfels, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Nov 6, 1987 · N5303H · Destroyed > The experimental, home built, aircraft was on its maiden fliht. The pilot stated he intended to fly the pattern for a check-out of the aircraft. The pilot indicated that he hoped to gain altitude early to permit returning to the field in case of an engine… - [NTSB FTW88FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA023.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Fulton, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 4, 1987 · N3666W · Destroyed > Acft departed in conditions of low ceiling and visibility with a student plt and pax on board. Witnesses at the arpt estimated the ceiling as 150 to 300 ft ovc with 1/8 to 1/4 mile vis in fog. After lift off the acft entered the fog in a rt climbing turn and… - [NTSB FTW88LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA022.md): Cessna 150 · San Angelo, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 1987 · N3449J · Substantial damage > While on a long final approach the aircraft ran out of fuel. The pilot made a forced landing in a field. During landing roll the nose gear collapsed, the main landing gear came off, and both wings were damaged. The pilot stated that he could have avoided the… - [NTSB FTW88DRG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRG02.md): Grumman Schweizer G-164A · Edcouch, TX · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Oct 30, 1987 · N45691 · Substantial damage > After a normal takeoff and climb to 200 feet AGL the pilot reduced power and the engine quit. A forced landing was made into a dry but soft plowed field. The aircraft rolled 300 feet and then nosed over into an inverted attitude and stopped. The engine was… - [NTSB FTW88LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA017.md): Cessna 172 · Midland, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 1987 · N3931L · Substantial damage > The pilot landed long and could not stop before running off the end of the runway. The aircraft, collided with a fence and the left wing was damaged when the acft collided with a ditch. - [NTSB FTW88LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA016.md): Piper PA-30 · Brownsville, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 25, 1987 · N7969Y · Substantial damage > While executing a single engine ILS approach to a touch and go landing, the CFI pulled the mixture control on the right engine. Upon landing the pilot applied full power to both engines but the right engine did not respond. About 2 ft above the rwy the… - [NTSB FTW88LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA014.md): Piper PA-23-250 · Brownsville, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 25, 1987 · N5606Y · Substantial damage > During initial climb into IFR conditions, the non-multiengine, non-instrument rated mexican certificated private pilot diverted his attention from flying the aircraft to adjust the mixture control on the left engine. The aircraft impacted the ground and… - [NTSB FTW88LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA013.md): Piper PA-12 · Brownsville, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 25, 1987 · N4045M · Substantial damage > While circling an unlighted private airstrip, the pilot allowed the aircraft to descend into 2 feet of water causing substantial damage. - [NTSB FTW88LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA012.md): Cessna 150 · Mckinney, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 1987 · N6530G · Substantial damage > During flare/touchdown with full flaps the aircraft bounced. The student pilot in an attempt to go-around failed to retract the flaps. The aircraft stalled contacting some trees and subsequently the ground, damaging the left wing, right wing, and the… - [NTSB FTW88LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA020.md): Cessna 152 · New Caney, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 1987 · N4870P · Substantial damage > Acft took off in marginal VFR conditions on a pipeline patrol flt. En route, the plt encountered deteriorating wx conditions and experienced a rough running eng, due to what he suspected was carb ice. His attempts to remedy the roughness were unsuccessful and… - [NTSB FTW88FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA011.md): Cessna 172M · Midway, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 1987 · N4357R · Destroyed > The plt (a co-owner) was on the 1st flt of the acft after its 150 HP Lycoming O-320 eng had been replaced with a 180 HP Lycoming O-360 eng. He took off at about 1115 CDT. The flt progressed w/o rprtd incident until 1437 CDT, when the plt stated the acft was… - [NTSB FTW88FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA009.md): Cessna 172RG · Llano, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 1987 · N9875B · Destroyed > The pilot departed lubbock, Texas in VFR conditions. As the flight progressed the ceiling and visibility deteriorated and the pilot encountered instrument meteorological conditions. No evidence was found to indicate that the pilot obtained a weather briefing… - [NTSB FTW88LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA010.md): Cessna 150L · Lancaster, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 1987 · N17176 · Substantial damage > While rtrng fm a x-country, the student bcm disoriented & reqd assistance. Redbird twr ctlr adzd dallas-ft worth TRACON that the plt was lost & needed a beacon identification. A few min later, the acft's location was determined & the ctlr at redbird relayed a… - [NTSB FTW88LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA008.md): Bell 47G-2 · Lapra, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 20, 1987 · N8403E · Substantial damage > Upon entering a bank approx. 80 to 100 ft. off the ground, the aircraft experienced a power loss with vibration. During autorotation the aircraft contacted a tree causing substantial damage. Examination of the wreckage found the transmission clutch assembly… - [NTSB FTW88DQG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DQG02.md): Air Tractor AT-301 · Lockney, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Oct 19, 1987 · N73127 · Substantial damage > After completing a swath run, the plt began a procedure turn to the right for another run. During the maneuver, the acft stalled & turned counterclockwise for about 180 deg before impacting the ground in a nose down, left wing low attitude. - [NTSB FTW88FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA007.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Houston, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 1987 · N3903W · Destroyed > The acft developed a fire in the eng area during the initial climb after takeoff. When the eng lost power the plt attempted a lndg in a small park. The acft touched down just short of a drainage ditch and collided with the sloping embankment on the opposite… - [NTSB FTW88FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA006.md): Cessna 172RG · Refugio, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 1987 · N9693B · Destroyed > The plt continued VFR flt into wx that was IMC. The acft impacted the terrain in an extremely nose low attitude. There was no record of the pilot receiving any pre-flt or in flight weather briefings or forecasts for this flight. A witness reported normal… - [NTSB FTW88FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA005.md): Cessna 175 · Crystal City, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 1987 · N6512E · Destroyed > The plt was attempting a night visual apch to his unlighted pvt strip when the acft struck trees, flew under a pwr line,struck additional trees & subsequently impacted the gnd. The acdnt occurred aprx 2.5 miles short of the threshold. Samples of the plt's… - [NTSB FTW88DRA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRA01.md): Watkins/Monnett Moni · Silsbee, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Oct 13, 1987 · N19MW · Substantial damage > Shortly after takeoff, the eng lost power & the plt tried to return to the arpt. However, as he was shutting off the fuel, the acft stalled & began to spin. He initiated corrective action, but the acft collided with trees before he could recover. An… - [NTSB FTW88DQG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DQG01.md): Boeing A75N1 · Fort Stockton, TX · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Oct 11, 1987 · N54279 · Substantial damage > The pilot stated that during the flare for a full stall landing in the tail wheel equipped aircraft, a whirlwind was encountered. He said he applied full power & full left aileron & rudder, but could not recover. Subsequently, the aircraft struck an… - [NTSB FTW88DRG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRG01.md): North American P82-B · Harlingen, TX · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Oct 10, 1987 · N12102 · Substantial damage > The aircraft was engaged in a demonstration flight with the confederate air force at rio grande valley international airport. During the approach to runway 17L the pilot flared the aircraft too high resulting in a stall and an excessive rate of descent. At… - [NTSB FTW88LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA002.md): Mooney M-20-J · Kerrville, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 9, 1987 · N57257 · Substantial damage > Acft was substantially damaged when it collided with a road sign and the grnd during an off arpt emergency lndg following a complete eng failure during descent. Plt stated that about 20 mins out from his dest, the oil press decreased into the yellow arc, but… - [NTSB FTW88LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA004.md): Cessna L-19 · San Marcos, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 7, 1987 · N305DH · Substantial damage > On touchdown the aircraft's left main tire was flat. Control was lost when the pilot attempted to taxi off the active runway. The aircraft slid off the runway into some grass causing substantial damage to the aircraft. - [NTSB FTW88LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA001.md): Mooney M20C · Bulverde, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 1987 · N9231M · Substantial damage > On the second approach after a go-around, the aircraft landed approximately halfway down the 2850 ft runway. In an attempt to go around the pilot applied power. The aircraft started to climb but collided with the top of a tree causing the tail of the aircraft… - [NTSB FTW87LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA228.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Alvin, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 1987 · N4443T · Substantial damage > The plt initiated a soft field type takeoff with 10 deg of flaps. He said that he started the takeoff with 'full aft control wheel' until the acft became airborne, then he lowered the nose to remain in ground effect. However, he failed to maintain airspeed &… - [NTSB FTW87FA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA225.md): Piper PA-28-235 · Houston, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 1987 · N9296W · Destroyed > Plt executed an emergency landing into trees after he experienced an inflight fire and eng failure shortly after t/o. the lndg in the trees was executed after the plt decided that he could not make it to a clear area. Investigation revealed that the fire had… - [NTSB FTW87DRG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DRG07.md): Nixon Quickie 1 · Del Rio, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Sep 27, 1987 · N67SN · Destroyed > Earlier in the day, the plt had flown the home built acft on its maiden flt of 0.2 hrs with no rprtd problems. He stated that after taking off on the 2nd flt, he was climbing at aprx 200' AGL when the acft seemed to hit a gust of wind & roll left. He applied… - [NTSB FTW87LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA224.md): Cessna 150M · Addison, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 1987 · N63156 · Substantial damage > The aircraft became too slow while on final approach, started mushing, and drifted left. Full engine power was applied accompanied by nose up elevator trim. The aircraft bounced then climbed about 30 feet while attaining a steep nose up attitude and stalled.… - [NTSB FTW87LA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA227.md): Cessna 152 · Mckinney, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 1987 · N67439 · Substantial damage > Drg a practice touch-&-go landing, the plt raised the flaps after making a normal lndg & applied full power for a go-around. However, the acft veered off the left side of the rwy & contacted soft ground. Subsequently, the nose gear collapsed & the left wing… - [NTSB FTW87LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA221.md): Cessna 340A · Lubbock, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 17, 1987 · N5449G · Destroyed > The pilot did not declare an emergency or mention to the tower controller that his fuel was low. He was first told to enter right traffic for runway 17R but was subsequently told to enter right traffic for runway 26. (This was to allow a dea aircraft, at its… - [NTSB FTW87FA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA219.md): Grumman American AA-5A · Corpus Christi, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 1987 · N6035L · Destroyed > The aircraft exceeded maximum allowable takeoff weight and aft center of gravity limits. The aircraft had two passengers in the rear seats. The operator's manual states that no passengers are permitted in the rear seats during aerobatic maneuvers. The pilot… - [NTSB FTW87LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA217.md): Cessna 401A · Wichita Falls, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 1987 · N6249Q · Substantial damage > The pilot stated that the right engine quit after landing at the Wichita Falls, Texas airport. A witness stated that he attempted to start the engine several times when the right wing exploded during the last attempted engine restart. Damage was concentrated… - [NTSB FTW87LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA215.md): Aeronca 7AC · Batesvile, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 1987 · N84191 · Substantial damage > A witness to the accident reported the pilot was 'buzzing' personnel in a cotton field and on the third pass did not pull up in time. The belly struck the ground while the aircraft was in a 'fairly steep angle of descent.' The witness stated the engine… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?year=1987&state=TX&page=2 ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE year(c."eventDate") = 1987 AND c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'TX' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?state=TX&year=1987 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.