# NTSB DFW06CA189: Piper PA19/L-18C, N3134F, Katy, TX, July 22, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 22, 2006, 08:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Katy, TX - Coordinates: 29.68, -95.79 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6800&lon=-95.7900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Houston, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 64168 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA189 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64168/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=64168 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA189 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The 2,486-hour commercial pilot lost control of the single-engine airplane while maneuvering at low airspeed over a hot-air balloon that landed approximately 500 yards south of a grass-strip runway. The airport owner, who observed the airplane prior to the accident, stated that the pilot was performing touch and go landings at the airport, where there were hot-air balloon operations in the vicinity. He added that he observed the accident airplane perform a couple of low passes in the area where a balloon had landed. The wreckage of the airplane was found approximately one mile south of the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the tricycle gear airplane was found in a right wing low, nose down attitude, which he stated was consistent with ground impact as a result of a stall/spin mishap. He added that the left wing was bent forward, and the right main landing gear was folded under the fuselage. He added that fuel was present in the fuel tank; however, there was no post-impact fire. The wind was reported from 270 degrees at 6 knots at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The 2,486-hour commercial pilot lost control of the single-engine airplane while maneuvering at low airspeed over a hot-air balloon that landed approximately 500 yards south of a grass-strip runway. The airport owner, who observed the airplane prior to the accident, stated that the pilot was performing touch and go landings at the airport, where there were hot-air balloon operations in the vicinity. He added that he observed the accident airplane perform a couple of low passes in the area where a balloon had landed. The wreckage of the airplane was found approximately one mile south of the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the tricycle gear airplane was found in a right wing low, in a nose down attitude, which he stated was consistent with ground impact as a result of a stall/spin mishap. He added that the left wing was bent forward, and the right main landing gear was folded under the fuselage. He added that fuel was present in the fuel tank; however, there was no post-impact fire. The wind was reported from 270 degrees at 6 knots at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3134F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3134F-2006-12-11), registration cancelled 2006-12-11, S/N 52-2405, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA19/L-18C - Registry model: [Piper L-18C](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-l-18c) (registry code 7101904) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 52-2405 - Airframe hours: 3098.52 - Engines: Continental C90 95 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: June 1, 2006 - Departed: O07 - Destination: O07 - Airport: O07, Westheimer Air Park ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 2,486 total, 331 in this make and model, 2,177 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: SGR, 9 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20060722030689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060722030689A), Jul 22, 2006: Piper L18C, Houston, TX, Destroyed. (-23) On 07/22/2006 @ approximately 0845L a Piper, PA-19-L18C, crashed in an open field, south by southwest of the westheimer air park (O07) near Houston,… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2006, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=64168. 361 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 361 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40265305&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- 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.