# NTSB FTW88FA125: Piper PA-28-236, N2889N, Anson, TX, June 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1988, 14:47 local (19:47 UTC)
- Place: Anson, TX
- Coordinates: 32.749477, -99.890319 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7495&lon=-99.8903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22556
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22556/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA125

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION-PIC; FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER, INADVERTENT-PIC; DESIGN STRESS LIMITS EXCEEDED BY PIC; THUNDERSTORM

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - thunderstorm,level ii (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - separation
  - wing - overload (contributing factor)
  - horizontal stabilizer surface - separation
  - horizontal stabilizer surface - overload (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT ENCOUNTERED FORECAST TSTMS EN ROUTE. AT 1430 CDT, THE PLT HAD RPTD 2400 FT MSL, CLIMBING TO HIS CRUISE ALTITUDE AT 8000 FT. AT 1440, THE PLT REQUESTED, AND DEVIATION AROUND WEATHER WAS APPROVED. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT FURTHER DIFFICULTY, BUT LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN IN-FLIGHT BREAKUP OF THE ACFT OCCURRED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. WEATHER AND RADAR DATA INDICATE THAT THE AIRPLANE BROKE UP NEAR THE EDGE OF A LEVEL TWO THUNDERSTORM. HEAVY RAIN AND LIGHTNING WERE REPORTED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS. THE OUTBOARD END OF THE LEFT WING AND THE STABILATOR HAD SEPARATED IN-FLIGHT. THE LEFT WING FAILED IN POSITIVE OVERLOAD. ALTHOUGH THE RIGHT WING HAD NOT SEPARATED, IT ALSO REVEALED DAMAGE FM HIGH POSITIVE LOADING. THE STABILATOR FRACTURES INDICATED TORSIONAL OVERLOAD. BOTH PLTS HELD PVT PILOT CERTIFICATES AND WERE INSTRUMENT-RATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2889N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2889N-1989-06-28), registration cancelled 1989-06-28, S/N 287911229 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-236
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-236](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-236) (registry code 7102815) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7911229
- Airframe hours: 910
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J3A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gladys Harr, doing business as Dakotanauts
- Registered owner: Gladys Harr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1987, 68 hours before
- Departed: ABI, ABILENE, TX
- Destination: LBB, LUBBOCK, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 760 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABI, 16 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 19880626071399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880626071399A), Jun 26, 1988: Piper PA28236, Anson, TX, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Lost control and came apart in area of known thunderstorms. Had just asked for and received deviation for weather.

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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