# NTSB FTW89LA041: Douglas DC-3, Laredo, TX, January 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1989, 20:43 local (Jan 19, 1989, 02:43 UTC)
- Place: Laredo, TX
- Coordinates: 27.509519, -99.499603 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5095&lon=-99.4996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22828
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22828/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA041

## Probable cause

THE PIC'S DISREGARD FOR THE SECURITY OF THE CARGO THAT PERMITTED ITS SHIFT DURING THE TAKOEFF ROLL. THIS RESULTED IN AN AFT CG SITUATION AND A SUBSEQUENT STALL AND LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE MISMANAGEMENT OF THE ENGINE POWER BY THE CREW AND THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE OF THE CO-PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Cargo shift, takeoff - initial climb
  - security of cargo - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedure inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - throttle/power control - reduced, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - propeller - reduced, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 35L, THE CO-PILOT ON THE FLIGHT CONTROLS REDUCED LEFT PROPELLER AND RIGHT ENGINE POWER AT AN ALTITUDE OF LESS THAN 100 FEET AGL. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTORE TAKEOFF POWER WHILE APPLYING FORWARD PRESSURE ON THE CONTROL YOKE, BUT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN ADJACENT TO THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE CARGO MAY HAVE SHIFTED TO THE REAR OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: XBDYP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-3
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: P&W R1830-92 1450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: LRD, LARDEO, TX
- Destination: MMTC, TORREON
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LRD, Laredo Int'L, runway 35L, 7,810 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight engineer, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 3,800 in this make and model, 7,700 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LRD

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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