FTW85LA337

NTSB accident investigation · Piper PA-28-181 · Westbrook, TX · September 3, 1985

Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
September 3, 1985, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
Place
Westbrook, TX
Injuries
1 serious
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N8043CPiper PA-28-181
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19850903043319A
Case key
21840

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Nose downTakeoff - roll/run
Sabotage - intentionalPilot in commandCause
Emotional reactionPilot in commandFactor
Anxiety/apprehensionPilot in commandFactor

Analysis

There were no known eye witnesses to the accident. Available evidence reveals that the pilot most probably made a successful landing in the remotely located field and rolled to a stop. The sheriff reported that the engine oil was drained onto the ground at this point. The aircraft was then taxied back 1300 feet and made another turn and stopped. The controlwheel was found tied in the rear position with the seat belt. The pilot apparently climbed onto the left wing, opened the throttle by reaching through the opening created by the missing left cockpit window and jumped off onto the ground and apparently was hit with the left stabilator. The aircraft traveled about 50 yards before veering right into rough terrain and stopped. The pilot reportedly called the mitchell county sheriff's office, reported the accident and stated that he was injured. The phone which he reportedly used was located several miles from the accident site. The pilot then disappeared and his whereabouts is still unknown.

Aircraft

Registration
N8043C
Reported as
Piper PA-28-181
Category
Airplane
Serial number
28-7690098
Airframe hours
2,584
Engine
Lycoming O-360-A4M, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Economy Aviation Rental
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
Last inspection
100 hour · August 10, 1985
Departed
TX05 · Mckinney, TX
Destination
21XS · Big Spring, TX

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
37
Certificate
Commercial
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
8,675 total

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Visibility
7 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
99 °F

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.