# NTSB FTW86LQG10: Piper PA-22-150, N9995D, Skellytown, TX, February 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1986, 19:30 local (Feb 20, 1986, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Skellytown, TX
- Coordinates: 35.569698, -101.170387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5697&lon=-101.1704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22115
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LQG10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22115/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LQG10

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - utility pole(marked) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HIS TAKE OFF ROLL WAS LONGER THAN EXPECTED. REACHING THE END OF THE RUNWAY, HE ROTATED & THE ACFT LEFT THE GROUND, BUT IT DID NOT ESTABLISH A GOOD RATE OF CLIMB. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POLE & CRASHED. THE TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED WITH A 15 KT TAILWIND THAT WAS GUSTING TO 22 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9995D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9995D-2014-12-01), registration cancelled 2014-12-01, S/N 22-6788, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry M Mercer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Shellytown, runway 35, 2,100 × 80 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMA, 40 nm away

## 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 19860219005129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860219005129A), Feb 19, 1986: Piper PA22150, Skellytown, TX, Substantial damage. Used all of runway but did not establish a climb before wing struck a pole on the takeoff. Blamed a tailwind shift.

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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