# NTSB FTW87LA228: Piper PA-28-180, N4443T, Alvin, TX, October 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1987, 20:00 local (Oct 1, 1987, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Alvin, TX
- Coordinates: 29.429048, -95.239707 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4290&lon=-95.2397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22435
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22435/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA228

## 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
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT INITIATED A SOFT FIELD TYPE TAKEOFF WITH 10 DEG OF FLAPS. HE SAID THAT HE STARTED THE TAKEOFF WITH 'FULL AFT CONTROL WHEEL' UNTIL THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE, THEN HE LOWERED THE NOSE TO REMAIN IN GROUND EFFECT. HOWEVER, HE FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED & THE ACFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY TOWARD TREES. ALSO, HE STATED THAT 'POWER WAS SET AT FULL,'  BUT THE AIRSPEED 'WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO MAINTAIN CONTROLLED FLIGHT.'  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT 'CRASHED IN A CONTROLLED MANNER INTO THE TREES.'  NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS RPRTD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4443T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4443T), registered now, S/N 28-7105228, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7105228
- Airframe hours: 3066
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gregory M. Obert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1987
- Airport: Private, runway 33, 1,800 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 521 total, 112 in this make and model, 203 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19870930077709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870930077709A), Sep 30, 1987: Piper PA28180, Alvin, TX, Substantial damage. Failed to maintain proper airspeed during takeoff. Drifted to the left. Contacted a tree. Crashed to the ground.

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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