# NTSB FTW88FA028: Piper PA-28-180, N8980J, Lancaster, TX, November 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1987, 06:50 local (12:50 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, TX
- Coordinates: 32.590702, -96.779716 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5907&lon=-96.7797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22526/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA028

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER REPORT INDICATING THAT IFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED. AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE BEFORE IT CRASHED. PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AND HAD VERY LITTLE TOTAL TIME. HE DID HAVE THREE HOURS OF NIGHT TIME AND TWO HOURS OF SIMULATED INSTRUMENTS, BUT NO ACTUAL INSTRUMENT TRAINING. IMPACT MARKS INDICATE THAT THE ACFT CRASHED RT WING FIRST WITH THE NOSE DOWN ABOUT 45 DEGREES. THE WRECKAGE TRAVELED FOR A TOTAL OF 144 FT. THE FRONT OF THE ACFT WAS DEMOLISHED. THE RT WING HAS SEPARATED INTO SEVERAL PIECES. THE FUSELAGE WAS BROKEN OPEN ON THE RT SIDE. THE ENG & PROP WERE PUSHED UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE FLT CONTROLS AND CONTROL SURFACES. CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED THROUGH THE ENG. AN ENG TEARDOWN WAS NOT PERFORMED. ONE WITNESS SAW THE TAKEOFF BUT NO ONE SAW THE DESCENT OR CRASH BECAUSE OF LOW VISIBILITY. FOUR PERSONS REPORTED HEARING THE ACFT FLY OVER AT LOW ALT WITH REVVING ENG AND 3 OF THEM HEARD THE CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8980J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8980J-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 28-3003, built 1966 (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: 28-3003
- Airframe hours: 1728
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Jba Construction Co. Inc.
- Registered owner: J.B.A. Construction Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 1987, 130 hours before
- Departed: LNC
- Destination: 5F1, POST, TX
- Airport: LNC, Lancaster, runway 13, 3,700 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 74 total, 53 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 30 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 19871114082109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871114082109A), Nov 14, 1987: Piper PA28180, Lancaster, TX, Destroyed, 4 fatal. VFR pilot took off into known IMC. Lost control and crashed a mile from end of runway.

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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