# NTSB FTW89DQG02: Piper PA-25, N8547L, Amarillo, TX, November 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1988, 11:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Amarillo, TX
- Coordinates: 36.479766, -102.259567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4798&lon=-102.2596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DQG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DQG02

## Probable cause

FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER AIRSPEED FOR THE MANEUVER BEING PERFORMED, FOLLOWED BY A STALL AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT TO RECOVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING FOR ANOTHER SWATH RUN, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. A FIRE ERUPTED AND DESTROYED THE AIRCRAFT. NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. ABOUT 8 MI WEST AT AMARILLO, TX, THE 1100 CST WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM 250 DEG AT 19 GUSTING 28 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8547L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8547L-2000-10-24), registration cancelled 2000-10-24, S/N 25-4967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-4567
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Taylor, Windell Stan, doing business as Crop Clinic
- Registered owner: Taylor, Stanley W
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 19 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMA, 8 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 19881114050619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881114050619A), Nov 14, 1988: Piper PA25235, Amarillo, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into ground at a steep angle of descent during a downwind turn on a spray run. Pilot and aircraft burned.

## Other investigations on N8547L (2)

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.

- [NTSB MKC83LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA082), Mar 28, 1983: Piper PA-25 (N8547L), Anthony, KS, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA70FKQ06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70FKQ06), May 1, 1970: Piper PA-25 (N8547L), Flora, MS, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.