# NTSB FTW84LA323: Boeing A75N1, N49680, Wichita Falls, TX, July 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1984, 19:20 local (Jul 26, 1984, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Wichita Falls, TX
- Location: 33.9137° N, 98.4934° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wichita Falls, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9137&lon=-98.4934&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21408
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA323
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21408/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA323

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - propeller system/accessories,hub - undertorqued (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - residence
  - object - fence
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT LOST THRUST AND STARTED A DESCENT AT FULL POWER DURING CLIMBOUT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT INDICATED THAT THE PROP BLADES HAD TWISTED TO LOW PITCH. ONE BLADE WAS TWISTED 180 DEGREESAT THE SCENE. TORQUES OF LESS THAN 50 FOOT LBS AND 25 FOOT LBS WERE OBTAINED BY FAA. THE ACFT HAD BEEN USED TO TOW BANNERS AND THE TACH FACE WAS MARKED AT 2550 RPM BEYOND THE MAX-RANGE OF THIS PROP AND ENGINE COMBINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49680](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49680), registered now, S/N 75-2242 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-2242
- Airframe hours: 6580
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Patterson Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 1984, 40 hours before
- Departed: F14, WICHITA FALLS, TX
- Destination: 30F, LAKE DALLAS, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,000 total, 3 in this make and model, 2,550 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPS, 6 nm away

## 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 19840725034639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840725034639A), Jul 25, 1984: Boeing A75N1, Wichita Falls, TX, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing. The blades of the propeller had twisted beyond low pitch limits.

## Other investigations on N49680 (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 NYC79FHD20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79FHD20-202542), Jul 12, 1978: Stearman A75N1 (N49680), Oxford, PA, destroyed

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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