FTW83FA134

NTSB accident investigation · Piper PA-28-181 · La Grange, TX · March 2, 1983

Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal report
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.

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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.

In flight collision with objectTakeoff - initial climb
Unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selectedPilot in commandCause
Preflight planning/preparation - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Weather condition - unfavorable windFactor
Weather condition - tailwindFactor
Object - tree(s)Factor
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

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.