# NTSB FTW85LA182: Piper PA-28-112, N9769T, Pearland, TX, February 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1985, 16:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Pearland, TX
- Location: 29.5636° N, 95.2860° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pearland, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5636&lon=-95.2860&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21721
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21721/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA182

## 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
  - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - habit interference, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

CFI PUT DOWN TWO NOTCHES OF FLAPS WHICH IS FULL DOWN ON THE PA-38. CFI STATED HE HAD FLOWN A PA-28-161 THAT MORNING AND THAT TWO NOTCHES OF FLAPS ON THAT ACFT WERE USED FOR SHORT FIELD TAKEOFFS. THE ACFT ENTERED A STALL-MUSH AFTER TAKEOFF AND CONTROL WAS LOST DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9769T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-112
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-78A0198
- Airframe hours: 1328
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: H & R Aviation
- Registered owner: Tommy Gardner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 8, 1984, 50 hours before
- Departed: T29, PEARLAND, TX
- Destination: T41, LAPORTE, TX
- Airport: T29, Pearland, runway 29, 2,400 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,017 total, 91 in this make and model, 807 as pilot in command, 161 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °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 19850225004389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850225004389A), Feb 25, 1985: Piper PA38112, Pearland, TX, Destroyed. Aircraft mushed during takeoff with full flaps. Aborted as wing dropped. Contacted grass and slid into deep mud.

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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