# NTSB FTW89LA103: Piper PA-22-150, N7648D, Crosbyton, TX, May 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1989, 19:00 local (May 27, 1989, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Crosbyton, TX
- Coordinates: 33.64064, -101.230812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6406&lon=-101.2308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22871
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22871/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA103

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S JUDGEMENT OF ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE WHILE ON AN APPROACH TO LAND.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE HIGH WIND, TRANSMISSION LINE, AND AIRPORT FUEL TANK.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS RETURNING FROM A LOCAL FLIGHT WHEN A FRONTAL SYSTEM PASSED THROUGH THE AREA. HE APPROACHED THE AIRPORT FROM THE WEST & WAS ON SHORT FINAL WHEN THE ACFT STRUCK A 30 FT HIGH POWER LINE WITH THE NOSE STRUT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN DESCENDED & STRUCK A FUEL TANK PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7648D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7648D-1989-07-12), registration cancelled 1989-07-12, S/N 225357 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-150) (registry code 7102210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5357
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Private Strip, runway 9, 2,640 × 20 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,138 total, 600 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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