# NTSB FTW04LA231: Piper PA-22, N2972P, Mountain Home, TX, September 3, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 2004, 11:54 local (16:54 UTC) - Place: Mountain Home, TX - Coordinates: 30.221666, -99.498336 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2217&lon=-99.4983&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 July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60054 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60054/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA231 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a 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 - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot lost control of the single-engine airplane shortly after takeoff from a 2,200-foot long turf runway. The 245-hour private pilot stated that after liftoff from the runway, the airspeed was approximately 65 miles per hour (mph) and the rate of climb was about 200 feet per minute. The pilot maintained back pressure on the yoke until the airplane cleared the treetops on his side at an altitude of approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot noticed airspeed beginning to decay and released back pressure on the yoke. The airplane continued to descend in a nose-high attitude until it impacted terrain. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 2004, approximately 1154 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22 single-engine airplane, N2972P, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during takeoff from the Goebel Field Airport (4TS5) near Mountain Home, Texas. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Llano Municipal Airport (AQO) near Llano, Texas, at 1044 and was destined for 4TS5. The 245-hour private pilot reported in a written statement to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that after briefing his passenger, he decided to perform a touch-and-go landing on Runway 14 (a 2,200-foot long and 60-foot wide turf runway). The pilot stated that he flew a stabilized approach with full flaps, and the airplane touched down slightly beyond the displaced threshold. During the landing roll, he applied full throttle and retained the full flaps for takeoff. The airplane lifted off the ground at an airspeed of approximately 65 miles per hour (mph) and a climb at a rate of approximately 200 feet per minute. The pilot maintained back pressure on the yoke until the treetops on his side were cleared at an altitude of approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot added that he noticed airspeed beginning to decay. In response, he released back pressure on the yoke. The airplane continued to descend in a nose-high attitude until it impacted terrain. Upon impact with terrain, the nose gear collapsed, and the propeller struck the ground. Subsequently, the aircraft nosed over, slid 50 yards inverted and came to rest in the inverted position. Examination of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the site of the accident, revealed structural damage to the vertical stabilizer, left wing, left wing support struts. There was additional minor damage to the propeller, right wing, and nose gear. No pre-impact anomalies were observed at the time of the examination. At 1151, the automated weather observing system at Kimble County Airport, near Junction, Texas, located approximately 22 nautical miles northwest of the site of the accident, reported wind variable at 6 knots, visibility 9 statute miles, few clouds at 3,400 feet agl, temperature 79 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 63 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.02 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2972P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2972P-2012-08-30), registration cancelled 2012-08-30, S/N 22-3247, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-22 - Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22-3247 - Airframe hours: 3119.62 - Engines: Lycoming O-320A2 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald Mancuso - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 28, 2003, 23.15 hours before - Departed: AQO, Llano, TX - Destination: 4TS5, Mountain Home, TX - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 4TS5, Goebel Field, runway 14, 2,200 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 21, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 245 total, 72 in this make and model, 245 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: 0° at 6 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KJCT, 22 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 20040903019399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040903019399A), Sep 3, 2004: Piper PA22150, Mountain Home, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot had departed llano airport in VMC conditions, on a VFR flight plan with full fuel. The pilot had conducted a touch and go at Goebel field on… 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.