# NTSB FTW00LA189: Piper PA-36-285, N57596, Bovina, TX, June 29, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 2000, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Bovina, TX - Coordinates: 34.510726, -102.880104 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5107&lon=-102.8801&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49566 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA189 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49566/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA189 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the pilot exceeding the aircraft's takeoff performance. Factors were the high density altitude and the pilot's delayed load jettison. ## 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 - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded - load jettison - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The agricultural airplane, carrying a full load of fertilizer, 'could not fly out of ground effect' during takeoff from a private airstrip. As the airplane neared the end of the airstrip and encroached on an irrigation system, the pilot pulled the nose of the airplane up and initiated a load dump. The pilot stated that he did not put the dump handle in the emergency dump position, and the fertilizer 'was not dumped quick enough.' The airplane stalled after clearing the irrigation system and impacted the ground. The density altitude, at the time of the accident, was calculated by the NTSB investigator-in-charge to be approximately 5,730 feet. The pilot reported that a 'lighter load for conditions' would have prevented this accident. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 2000, at 1230 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-285 agricultural airplane, N57596, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during takeoff from a private airstrip near Bovina, Texas. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Rhodes Crop Care, Inc., of Bovina, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to accident site, the pilot was departing the private airstrip with a full load of fertilizer. The FAA inspector stated that, during the takeoff, the airplane "could not fly out of ground effect." He added that when the airplane neared the end of the runway and encroached on an irrigation system, "the pilot pulled up on the nose to clear the irrigation system and initiated a load dump." The pilot stated that he did not put the dump handle in the emergency dump position, and the fertilizer "was not dumped quick enough." The FAA inspector stated that the airplane stalled after clearing the irrigation system and impacted the terrain nose first. The fuselage sustained structural damage. In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), under the section titled "Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented), the pilot wrote, "lighter load for conditions." The density altitude, at the time of the accident, was calculated by the NTSB investigator-in-charge to be approximately 5,730 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57596](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57596-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 36-7560131 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-36-285 - Registry model: [Piper PA-36-285](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-285) (registry code 7103610) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 367560131 - Engines: reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Rhodes Crop Care, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2000 - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Rhodes Crop Care ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,100 total, 75 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CVS, 23 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 20000629011909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000629011909A), Jun 29, 2000: Piper PA36285, Bovina, TX, No damage. (-23) Mr. Gerry black was the pilot on command of N57596 which crashed shortly after take off in Bovina, TX. He was operating under FAR 137 and had… 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.