# NTSB FTW84LA098: Piper PA-15, N4309H, Bulverde, TX, December 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 4, 1983, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Bulverde, TX
- Coordinates: 29.769495, -98.450157 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7695&lon=-98.4502&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): 21235
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21235/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA098

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH DURING LANDING ROLLOUT AFTER LOSS OF CONTROL AND A GROUNDLOOP. ACCORDING TO THE PLT THE LANDING WAS NORMAL ON A 2850 FT STRIP. THE ACFT GROUNDLOOPED AT SLOW SPEED AND WENT INTO A DITCH OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF RWY 16. THIS FLT WAS THE PLTS INITIAL CHECKOUT IN A TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4309H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4309H), registered now, S/N 15-94, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-15
- Registry model: [Piper PA-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-15) (registry code 7101502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15-94
- Airframe hours: 1066
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Baxter Grier
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 1983
- Departed: 71TX, BOERNE, TX
- Airport: 11XS, Bulverde, runway 16, 2,850 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 58 total, 1 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19831204060019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831204060019A), Dec 4, 1983: Piper PA15, Bulverde, TX, Substantial damage. Ground looped on the landing roll on first flight in tailwheel aircraft after checkout. Stopped in a ditch off rwy

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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