# NTSB FTW80FPD03: Piper PA-25, N8576L, Abilene, TX, October 26, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 26, 1979
- Place: Abilene, TX · ABILENE, TX
- Location: 32.4487° N, 99.7331° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Abilene, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4487&lon=-99.7331&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133417
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80FPD03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FPD03

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2564  79/10/26 NR.ABILENE,TX         PIPER PA-25         CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 41, 1501
        TIME - 1730                    N8576L              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 500 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         ABILENE,TX                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           PROPELLER/ROTOR FAILURE: PROPELLER                       IN FLIGHT: RETURN TO STRIP
           COLLIDED WITH: FENCE,FENCEPOSTS                          LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           POWERPLANT - PROPELLER AND ACCESSORIES: HYDRAULIC PITCH CONTROL MECHANISM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY INSTALLED
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  PROP/ENGINE VIBRATION
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED       KIND OF OPERATION - DEFOLIATION (LIQUID)
          KIND OF CROP - COTTON                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT                  TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT
          ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  1650
        REMARKS- 4 PROP BOLTS SEPARATED & OIL SPLASHED ON WINDSHIELD.WING STRUCK 4 FT POLE DRG PRECAUTIONARY LNDG.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8576L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8576L-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 25-5001, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-260) (registry code 7102508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19791026029139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791026029139A), Oct 26, 1979: Piper PA25260, Hadleye, TX, Substantial damage. Prop bolts loosened in flight. Made precautionary landing on road. Wing hit telephone post.

## Other investigations on N8576L (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 MIA83LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA221), Sep 5, 1983: Piper PA-25-260 (N8576L), Quebradillas, PR, destroyed

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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