# NTSB FTW84LA387: Piper PA-28-181, N4293Y, Wharton, TX, September 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1984, 08:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Wharton, TX
- Coordinates: 29.309511, -96.090057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3095&lon=-96.0901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21461
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA387
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21461/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA387

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - object - airport facility
- Main gear collapsed, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING ON RWY 14 THE PLT DID A 180 DEG TURN AND TAXIED BACK DOWN THE RWY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN RIGHT ONTO THE TAXIWAY THE LEFT MAIN GEAR DEPARTING THE IMPROVED SURFACE AND COLLAPSED WHEN IT STRUCK A CONCRETE CULVERT. BRAKE SKID MARKS WERE FOUND ON THE RWYAND TAXIWAY LEADING TO THE POINT OF THE GEAR COLLAPSE. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4293Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4293Y), registered now, S/N 28-8390040, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-8390040
- Airframe hours: 955
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Coastal Bend Flying, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1984, 16 hours before
- Departed: CRP, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
- Airport: 5R5, Wharton Muni, runway 14, 3,800 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 102 total, 6 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19840911047949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840911047949A), Sep 11, 1984: Piper PA28181, Wharton, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted turn after taxiing back on runway too fast. Went off side and struck a culvert.

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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