# NTSB FTW83LA284: Piper PA-25-235, N6303Z, Abilene, TX, June 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1983, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Abilene, TX
- Coordinates: 32.450927, -99.730285 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4509&lon=-99.7303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20936
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA284
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20936/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA284

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AGRICULTURAL ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POLE DURING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF AFTER DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. THE PLT STATED THAT A SOFT SPOT IN THE RWY CAUSED THE ACFT TO VEER LEFT. THE TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED BUT THE ACFT CONTINUED OFF THE RWY ANDCOLLIDED WITH THE POLE NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6303Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6303Z-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N 25-387, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25) (registry code 7102502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-387
- Airframe hours: 3331
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Walter O. Portlock
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 17, 1983
- Airport: runway 17, 2,000 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,112 total, 498 in this make and model, 1,072 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830619025769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830619025769A), Jun 19, 1983: Piper PA25235, Abilene, TX, Substantial damage. Rolled through a soft spot on the takeoff roll. Veered off the runway. Aborted takeoff but hit a telephone pole.

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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