# NTSB DEN91LA022: Piper PA-28-235, N8660W, Sherman, TX, November 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1990, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Sherman, TX
- Location: 33.6357° N, 96.6089° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sherman, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6357&lon=-96.6089&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18057
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18057/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA022

## Probable cause

A PILOT INDUCED INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF TO THE NORTH, ON A 1700 FOOT GRASS STRIP, SURROUNDED BY MEDIUM SIZED SCRUB OAK TREES. THE PILOT SAID HE ACHIEVED 35 FEET AGL, ATTEMPTED TO PULL UP THE NOSE TO CLEAR TREES, AND THE STALL WARNING HORN SOUNDED. THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE, AND THE PLANE REBOUNDED ACROSS A ROAD TO THE LEFT. THE LEFT WING WAS SEVERED WHEN IT STRUCK ANOTHER OAK TREE. THE PLANE LANDED IN A FIELD WITH THE LEFT WING STUB DOWN. THE NOSE GEAR FOLDED AND THE ENTIRE TAIL SECTION WAS TORN OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8660W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8660W-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 28-10186, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-10186
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cody Aero Sales
- Destination: F46, ROCKWALL, TX
- Airport: NONE, Caradine, runway 36, 1,700 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,550 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,340 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## Other investigations on N8660W (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB OAK72DVD27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72DVD27), Nov 7, 1971: Piper PA-28 (N8660W), Smith River, CA, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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