# NTSB FTW84LA013: Cessna 152, N48774, Copeville, TX, October 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1983, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Copeville, TX
- Location: 33.0796° N, 96.4155° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Copeville, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0796&lon=-96.4155&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA013

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD LANDED IN A PASTURE AREA THAT WAS ABOUT 1500 FT LONG. WHILE ON THE GROUND, A WX FRONT BEGAN MOVING IN & THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF TO MOVE THE ACFT TO A SAFER LOCATION. HE INITATED HIS TAKEOFF TO THE SOUTH; HOWEVER, THE GROUND WAS SOFT DUE TO RECENT RAINS. THE ACFT LIFTED OFF, BUT WOULD NOT CLIMB SUFFICIENTLY TO CLEAR 25 FT TREES AT THE END OF THE FIELD. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TREES AT ABOUT 10 TO 15 FT AGL & CAME TO REST IN A WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE, SUSPENDED APRX 5 FT AGL IN THE TREES. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN SOFT FIELD OPERATIONS CONTRIBUTED TO AN IMPROPER DECISION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N48774 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280962
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bill U. Myers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 29, 1983, 65 hours before
- Departed: COPEVILLE, TX
- Destination: ADS, DALLAS, TX
- Airport: Farm Pasture

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 147 total, 128 in this make and model, 109 as pilot in command, 147 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19831011054119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831011054119A), Oct 11, 1983: Cessna 152, Copeville, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted takeoff from short, soft, wet field and aircraft crashed into trees at end of runway.

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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