- 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.
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.