# NTSB FTW84LA010: Piper PA-18-105 Special, N338T, Wichita Falls, TX, October 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1983, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Wichita Falls, TX
- Coordinates: 33.849704, -98.539825 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8497&lon=-98.5398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA010

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - touch-and-go - initiated, pilot in command
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING A LANDING WITH A QUARTERING LEFT HEAD WIND, THE RIGHT BRAKE DID NOT HOLD & THE ACFT VEERED TO THE LEFT. HE ADDED POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID A GROUND LOOP; HOWEVER, THE ACFT WENT IN A WET, PLOWED FIELD & NOSED OVER. REPORTEDLY, THERE WERE NO MALFUNCTIONS OF THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N338T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N338T), registered now, S/N 18-2452, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-105 SPECIAL (PA-18-105)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-2452
- Airframe hours: 4044
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1983, 10 hours before
- Airport: F14, Wichita Valley, runway 13, 3,490 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 439 total, 67 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft overcast

## 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 19831008053589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831008053589A), Oct 8, 1983: Piper PA18S105SPEC, Wichita Falls, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft ran off runway onto soft berm and ground looped.

## Other investigations on N338T (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW80DPD24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DPD24-131926), Mar 30, 1980: Piper PA-18 (N338T), Possum Kingdom, TX, substantial damage

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.