# NTSB FTW85LA337: Piper PA-28-181, N8043C, Westbrook, TX, September 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1985, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Westbrook, TX
- Coordinates: 32.349777, -101.009086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3498&lon=-101.0091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA337
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21840/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA337

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose down, takeoff - roll/run
  - sabotage - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - emotional reaction, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7690098
- Airframe hours: 2584
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 37; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850903043319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850903043319A), Sep 3, 1985: Piper PA28181, Westbrook, TX, Substantial damage. Intentional destruction of aircraft on unoccupied takeoff roll from unimproved field indicated on report.

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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