# NTSB FTW89FA137: Piper PA-32R-301T, N4360K, Celina, TX, July 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1989, 13:43 local (18:43 UTC)
- Place: Celina, TX
- Coordinates: 33.320095, -96.779953 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3201&lon=-96.7800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22782/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA137

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT.  RELATED FACTORS WERE:  FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE ALL OF THE AVAILABLE RUNWAY AREA, THE RUNWAY/TERRAIN CONDITIONS, AND OBSTRUCTIONS/POWER LINES BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - grass
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH FROM A 1931 FT GRASS STRIP. THE WIND WAS FROM 080 DEG AT 5 KTS, THE TEMP WAS 93 DEG, & THE DENSITY ALT WAS ABOUT 2925 FT. GRASS ON THE STRIP WAS 4 TO 6 INCHES TALL & WAS WET. THE SOUTH END OF THE STRIP WAS SOFT & WET; THE PLT INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF FROM A POINT WITH 1647 FT OF RWY REMAINING. DRCTLY OFF THE DEP END OF THE STRIP WAS A 32 FT STORAGE TANK WITH A 10 FT WIND SOCK ON TOP. AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT WAS BANKED TO THE RGT. IT CLEARED A LOWER MAINT BLDG BY A FEW FT, BUT STRUCK PWR LINES (28 & 33 FT AGL), THEN CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT WAS LOADED TO ABOUT 12 LBS BELOW THE 3600 LB MAX ALLOWABLE LIMIT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK, 1700 FT WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO CLEAR A 50 FT OBSTACLE DRG TAKEOFF FROM A DRY, PAVED RWY. DATA PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER INDCD THAT APRX 2340 FT WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO TAKEOFF FROM A SOD RWY WITH 6 INCH, WET GRASS. THE PLT'S LAST MED CERT WAS DATED 3/17/87.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4360K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4360K-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 32R-8429014, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301T (PA-32R-301)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R-301T
- Airframe hours: 488
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-S1AD 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Willard Grain & Feed, Inc.
- Registered owner: Willard Grain & Feed, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 1989, 62 hours before
- Destination: HOU, HOUSTON, TX
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 1, 1,931 × 67 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 750 total, 120 in this make and model, 635 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADS, 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 19890716022359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890716022359A), Jul 16, 1989: Piper PA32R301T, Celina, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Failed to clear obstruction on liftoff from soft sod strip. Wire strike caused fatal crash. Required longer 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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