# NTSB FTW87LA051: Piper PA-28-161, N47849, Marfa, TX, February 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 1, 1987, 19:15 local (Feb 2, 1987, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Marfa, TX
- Coordinates: 30.30944, -104.019943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3094&lon=-104.0199&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 March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22320
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22320/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA051

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STALLED THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB TOO STEEPLY DURING TAKEOFF FROM AN OLD ABANDONED AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED LEFT, DESCENDED, AND STRUCK THE GROUND BEFORE FLYING SPEED COULD BE REGAINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N47849 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7816142
- Airframe hours: 6146
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D36 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hanks Flite Center,Inc.
- Registered owner: Hank'S Flite Center, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 27, 1986, 43 hours before
- Destination: MAF, MIDLAND, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 96 total, 34 in this make and model, 68 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19870201001899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870201001899A), Feb 1, 1987: Piper PA28161, Marfa, TX, Substantial damage. The aircraft stalled during takeoff climb. Pilot failed to maintain airspeed. Takeoff from abandoned airport.

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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