# NTSB FTW81FPA05: Piper PA-38, N2523L, Fink, TX, January 3, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: January 3, 1981
- Place: Fink, TX · FINK, TX
- Location: 33.8037° N, 96.6772° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fink, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8037&lon=-96.6772&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127208
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FPA05
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FPA05

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0085   81/1/3  NR.FINK,TX            PIPER PA-38         CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 32, 105
        TIME - 1745                    N2523L              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 4 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - HI-TEX
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         FINK,TX                      DALLAS,TX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH AIRCRAFT
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: POORLY MAINTAINED RUNWAY SURFACE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      40
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          350                                                       16
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- WND GUSTING 20K.1320FT USABLE RWY,HIGH GRASS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2523L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2523L-1984-02-13), registration cancelled 1984-02-13, S/N 38-79A0752 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Hi-Tex

## 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 19810103000189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810103000189A), Jan 3, 1981: Piper PA38112, Fink, TX, Destroyed. Unable to climb on liftoff from short grass runway. Struck trees off end of runwa. Possible downdraft.

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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