# NTSB FTW85LA154: Piper PA-28-140, N15131, Athens, TX, March 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1985, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Athens, TX
- Coordinates: 32.200565, -95.849548 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2006&lon=-95.8495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21700
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21700/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA154

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED INTO THE TERRAIN DURING AN INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. THE TAKEOFF WAS MADE ON A 1830 FT SOD STRIP WHICH IS BORDERED ON THE DEPARTURE END BY TREES. THE PLT STATED HE USED FULL THROTTLE (2400-2450 RPM) BUT ONLY ACHIEVED 60-63 MPH. HE CONTINUED TO REPORT THAT ONCE BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE ACFT WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALT AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT WAS ENTERED. THE LEFT WING CONTACTED TREES AFTER WHICH THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PLT REPORTED THE STALL WARNING CAME ON EARLY IN THE TAKEOFF BUT HE CORRECTED THE SITUATION BY LOWERING THE NOSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N15131 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 287225582
- Airframe hours: 3859
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald W. Mckensie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1984, 52 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 313 total, 249 in this make and model, 313 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °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 19850317007829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850317007829A), Mar 17, 1985: Piper PA28140, Athens, TX, Destroyed. Unconrolled descent after takeoff from sod runway with trees at the end. Weight and balance may have been a factor.

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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