# NTSB FTW87LA178: Piper PA-18A, N321AK, Aransas Pass, TX, July 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1987, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Aransas Pass, TX
- Coordinates: 27.89937, -97.140304 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8994&lon=-97.1403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22404
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22404/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA178

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG A TAKEOFF ROLL, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND FROM THE LEFT WHICH CAUSED IT TO VEER OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CONTACTED A DITCH & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N321AK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18 7314
- Airframe hours: 12620
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles D. Schoenfield
- Registered owner: Charles D. Schoenfield
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 15, 1986, 82 hours before
- Departed: 03R
- Destination: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX
- Airport: 03R, Arkansas Pass, runway 15, 3,240 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 391 total, 55 in this make and model, 276 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870726038209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870726038209A), Jul 26, 1987: Piper PA18A, Aransas Pass, TX, Substantial damage. Lost directional control of aircraft during takeoff roll. Departed runway. Collided with a ditch.

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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