- Date
- March 2, 1983, 16:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place
- La Grange, TX
- Injuries
- 1 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N8384APiper PA-28-181
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19830302014089A
- Case key
- 20707
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The plt elected to takeoff to the north on a downsloping paved road. He reported that the wind was variable from the southwest at 2 to 4 KTS, gusting 4 to 6 KTS. At austin, TX, the wind was from 190 deg at 13 gusting 20 KTS & at college station, TX, it was from 200 deg at 11 KTS. The selected roadway was apprx 1800 long, then curved to the right. During the takeoff, the acft became airborne before reaching the curve, but the left wing hit 35 ft trees on the left side of the road after lift-off & the acft crashed. According to the acft's operating handbook, 1624 ft was required to clear a 50 ft obstacle in no wind conditions. The plt stated that he encountered an eng problem, but no preimpact part failure or malfunction was found. The plt also stated that he had previously encountered an eng problem & had made a precautionary landing on the road, then elected to takeoff after the eng & fuel checked normal. However, witnesses told law enforcement personnel that the plt had landed & picked up the passenger. Speed & prop slash marks indicated 2450 RPM
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8384A
- Reported as
- Piper PA-28-181
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 28-8190235
- Airframe hours
- 550
- Engine
- Lycoming O-360-A4M, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Mort Hall Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · January 12, 1983
- Destination
- DWH · Houston, TX
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 38
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 301 total · 120 in this make and model · 244 as pilot in command · 30 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 68 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.