# NTSB FTW83FA039: Piper PA-28-140, N9816W, Hennessey, OK, November 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1982, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Hennessey, OK
- Coordinates: 36.100593, -97.890678 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1006&lon=-97.8907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71017/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA039

## 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 handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS GIVING TAXI RIDES TO HIS GRANDCHILDREN AT A PRIVATE FARM STRIP. ACCOMPANIED BY TWO TEENAGE GRANDDAUGHTERS, THE PLT WAS OBSERVED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT HOLDING THE ENTRY DOOR OPEN WHILE TAXIING THE ACFT UP & DOWN THE STRIP. A WITNESS HEARD THE THROTTLE ADVANCE AT APPROXIMATELY MID FIELD & SAW THE ACFT BECOME AIRBORNE NEAR THE END OF THE STRIP. THE ACFT CLIMBED IN A VERY HIGH NOSE UP ATTITUDE & THEN SLID BACKWARDS IN THE AIR, DISAPPEARING FROM VIEW IN A TAIL DOWN FALL. THE TRIM WAS FOUND IN THE FULL NOSE UP POSITION. NONE OF THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS. NEITHER OF THE PASSENGERS HAD ANY AERONAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE. THE PLT HAD A MEDICAL HISTORY OF TREATMENT FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. A REVIEW OF HIS LOG BOOK INDICATED THAT HE DISCONTINUED FLYING WHILE TAKING MEDICATION. HE HAD JUST STARTED FLYING AGAIN AFTER DISCONTINUING HIS MEDICATION. THE PLT'S SON STATED THAT THE PLT HAD NOT INTENDED TO TAKE OFF & FELT STRONGLY THAT THE PLT BECAME INCAPACITATED WHILE TAXIING & BECAME AIRBORNE INADVERTANTLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9816W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9816W-1985-02-14), registration cancelled 1985-02-14, S/N 28-23317 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23317
- Airframe hours: 2367
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Al D. Racer
- Registered owner: Al D. Racer
- Departed: HENNESSEY, OK
- Destination: HENNESSEY, OK
- Airport: Racer Private, runway 36, 1,737 × 60 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; flight hours: 269 total, 232 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 145 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: END, 20 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 19821121059459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821121059459A), Nov 21, 1982: Piper PA28140, Hennessey, OK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft struck tree after apparent unintentional takeoff. None of the persons onboard had seatbelts fastened.

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.