# NTSB FTW87FA061: Piper PA-42, N81SM, Horseshoe Bay, TX, February 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1987, 08:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Horseshoe Bay, TX
- Coordinates: 30.570171, -98.270469 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5702&lon=-98.2705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22232
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22232/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA061

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - airspeed(vlof) - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Overrun, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A FAIRLY LONG TAXI FROM THE RAMP TO THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND THEN STARTED HIS TAKEOFF ROLL WITH THE PARKING BRAKE STILL PARTIALLY SET. THE BRAKES BECAME VERY HOT AND THE COMPONENT PARTS EXPANDED. AFTER ROLLING ALMOST 3,000 FEET THE BRAKES TIGHTENED UP TO THE EXTENT THAT BOTH MAIN GEAR TIRES STARTED LEAVING BLACK SKID MARKS WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY WITHOUT OBTAINING FLYING SPEED, A DISTANCE OF 3,168 FEET. IT WAS NOTED, THROUGH A DESIGN FEATURE OF THE AIRCRAFT, THAT THE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE COULD BE PLACED IN THE RELEASED POSITION WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING RELEASED. HOWEVER, THIS WOULD GIVE THE APPEARANCE THAT IT HAD BEEN RELEASED. THE MAIN GEAR TIRES WERE WORN ALMOST SLICK DURING THIS ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. BOTH MAIN GEAR BRAKES HAD BEEN OVERHEATED DURING THIS TIME TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY WERE DESTROYED. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY COLLISION WITH TREES, ROCKS AND A FIRE HYDRANT AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL OFF THE END OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81SM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81SM-1995-09-12), registration cancelled 1995-09-12, S/N 428001007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-42
- Registry model: [Piper PA-42](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-42) (registry code 7104202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 42-8001007
- Airframe hours: 2002
- Engines: P&W PT6A-41 720 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: 1st Texas Turbine Aircraft
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, November 22, 1985, 33 hours before
- Departed: 4R2, HORSESHOE BAY, TX
- Destination: AUS, AUSTIN, TX
- Airport: 4R2, Horseshoe Bay

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,670 total, 12 in this make and model, 3,520 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 35 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 19870207002379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870207002379A), Feb 7, 1987: Piper PA42, Marble Falls, TX, Destroyed. Tried takeoff parking brake on. Overheated brakes. Wore down tires skidded 3000FT off end down hill into trees.

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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