# NTSB FTW85LA144: Piper PA-23-160, N3438P, El Campo, TX, March 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1985, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: El Campo, TX
- Coordinates: 29.190261, -96.270202 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1903&lon=-96.2702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA144

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, standing - pre-flight
  - engine assembly - inoperative (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure induced by others, pilot in command
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure induced by others, pilot in command
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - disabled (cause)
  - flight to destination alternate - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - emergency light(s) - inadequate
  - gear retraction - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ATTEMPTING A SINGLE-ENGINE TAKE-OFF, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VMC OR RETRACT THE LANDING GEAR. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3438P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3438P-2012-10-03), registration cancelled 2012-10-03, S/N 23-1406, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-140G
- Airframe hours: 4900
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B3B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Coastal Flying Service
- Registered owner: G.K. Sharp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1984, 10 hours before
- Departed: TX09, EL CAMPO, TX
- Destination: 26R, EDNA, TX
- Airport: TX09, Coastal Airpark, runway 17, 3,100 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 15,700 total, 254 in this make and model, 14,720 as pilot in command, 170 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSX, 25 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 19850308036949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850308036949A), Mar 8, 1985: Piper PA23160, El Campo, TX, Substantial damage. Collided with tree during single engine takeoff. Pilot lost control before he could retract the landing gear.

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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