# NTSB FTW89FA171: Piper PA-22-150, N4329A, Elgin, TX, September 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1989, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Elgin, TX
- Coordinates: 30.339092, -97.370193 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3391&lon=-97.3702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA171

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT CLOSURE (DEACTIVATION) OF THE MIXTURE CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE GUSTY WIND, AND THE PILOT'S APPREHENSION OF EXISTING CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - mixture - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, approach
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A FARMER RPRTD HE OBSERVED THE ACFT APCHG THE PVT STRIP, AS IF TO LAND FROM THE SOUTH, BUT HE DID NOT SEE IT CRASH. THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ABOUT 1/4 MI FROM THE APCH END OF RWY 2, WHEN FIREMEN RESPONDED TO A RPRTD GRASS FIRE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE & BURNED. NO ROTATIONAL DAMAGE WAS NOTED ON THE PROP. THE MIXTURE CONTROL WAS FOUND AT THE IDLE CUT-OFF PSN & THE THROTTLE WAS FOUND 2.3' FROM THE FORWARD PSN & BENT ABOUT 90 DEG TO THE RGT. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ALSO FOUND BETWEEN THE LEFT TANK & OFF PSN; HOWEVER, THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ACFT DUE TO IMPACT & FIRE. BEFORE THE FLT, PLT HAD EXPRESSED HIS APPRENHENSION ABOUT LANDING AT THE AIRSTRIP. THIS WAS THE 1ST FLT FOR THE ACFT SINCE 6/3/89. IT HAD BEEN AT THE DEP ARPT DURING THAT TIME FOR COSMETIC MAINTENANCE. APRX 30 MI WEST AT AUSTIN, THE 1553 CDT WIND WAS FROM 340 DEG AT 14 GUSTING 25 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4329A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4329A-1991-11-26), registration cancelled 1991-11-26, S/N 223684 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22) (registry code 7102202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-3684
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hal F. Matheny
- Departed: T72, HEARNE, TX
- Airport: NONE, Wood Triple D, runway 2, 1,800 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 600 total, 400 in this make and model, 575 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 14 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 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 19890922035899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890922035899A), Sep 22, 1989: Piper PA22150, Elgin, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit on final for Private strip in severe gusty frontal surface wind. Stalled. Fuel selector out of detent.

## Other investigations on N4329A (1)

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 FTW67F0039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67F0039), Jun 21, 1966: Piper PA22 (N4329A), Austin, TX, 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.

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