# NTSB FTW84FA300: Piper PA-38-112, N25466, Georgetown, TX, July 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1984, 09:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Georgetown, TX
- Coordinates: 30.640932, -97.680435 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6409&lon=-97.6804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21134
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA300
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21134/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA300

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,pump - improper (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - worn (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - contamination (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - planned approach - not possible, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES DURING TAKEOFF FOLLOWING A REPORTED LOSS OF POWER. THE ENGINE BY OBSERVATION WAS RUNNING AT IMPACT. INVESTIGATION SHOWED A WORN MAGNETO AND FOULED SPARK PLUGS; #3 BOTTOM PLUG WAS COATED WITH UNBURNED OIL AND FOREIGN MATTER. THE ACFT WAS STALLED INTO THE TREES BY THE CFI TO AVOID ELECTRICAL WIRES & ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE ENG REPORTEDLY STARTED TO RUN AGAIN DURING DESCENT BUT FAILED A 2ND TIME BEFORE IMPACT. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE INTACT FUEL LINES BEYOND THE ENG DRIVEN FUEL PUMP. DURING TESTING THE WORN MAG PERFORMED WITHIN SPECS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N25466 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Plane Thing Inc
- Departed: T04, GEORGETOWN, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS

## 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 19840705029959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840705029959A), Jul 5, 1984: Piper PA38112, Georgetown, TX, Destroyed. Engine quit ater takeoff, hit tree limbs, then ground. Distributor rotor arm seat worn, posts also worn.

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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