# NTSB FTW82FQD09: Piper PA-18A-150, N2887Z, Sanderson, TX, February 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1982, 16:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Sanderson, TX
- Coordinates: 30.149311, -102.399497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1493&lon=-102.3995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72513
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FQD09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72513/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FQD09

## 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 wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS THE OWNER AND OPERATOR OF THE AIRCRAFT. A SEARCH OF THE FAA AIRMAN AND MEDICAL RECORDS REVEALED NO INDICATION OF A PREVIOUS RATING. DURING TAKEOFF, THE PLANE WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO ABOUT 200 TO 300 FT AGL, THEN NOSE DOWN AND CRASH. THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENT AFTER IMPACT. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREEXISTING MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE. THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REPORTED GUSTY WINDS FROM THE NORTHWEST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2887Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2887Z), registered now, S/N 18-7060, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 187060
- Airframe hours: 1001
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: W. A. Rose Jr.
- Registered owner: W. A. Rose Jr.
- Departed: SANDERSON, TX
- Destination: SANDERSON, TX
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 27, 1,585 × 0 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; medical: unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 23 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 145 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRT

## 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 19820208002749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820208002749A), Feb 8, 1982: Piper PA18A150, Sanderson, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft took off and climbed 200 to 300 feet. Nosed down and crashed.

## Other investigations on N2887Z (2)

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 FTW75ARG80](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75ARG80), May 13, 1975: Piper PA-18A (N2887Z), New Braunfels, TX, destroyed
- [NTSB FTW75DRG11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75DRG11), Aug 13, 1974: Piper PA-18A (N2887Z), Floresville, TX, substantial damage

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.