# NTSB FTW90LA008: Piper PA-22, N8727D, Amarillo, TX, October 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1989, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Amarillo, TX
- Coordinates: 35.689392, -101.819786 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6894&lon=-101.8198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23061
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23061/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA008

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL BY THE PILOT.

## 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 landing area (emergency)
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - trim setting - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTURE THE AIRCRAFT STARTED A LEFT TURN WHICH THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT BY APPLYING RIGHT AILERON AND RUDDER INPUTS. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE AIRCRAFT TO RETURN TO THE AIRSTRIP FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. DURING THE MANEUVER, THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND STALLED, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT DID NOT USE A CHECK LIST BEFORE TAKE OFF AND FAILED TO SEE THAT THE STABILIZER WAS SET TO THE FULL NOSE DOWN POSITION. THE PILOT SKIDDED THE AIRCRAFT AND DEPLETED THE AIRSPEED TO AVOID A CRANE BOOM AND POWER LINES RESULTING IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8727D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8727D), registered now, S/N 22-5908 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5908
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John R. Wellborn
- Registered owner: John R Wellborn
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, runway 26, 2,500 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,000 total, 565 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19891008039489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891008039489A), Oct 8, 1989: Piper PA22160, Amarillo, TX, Substantial damage. Reported uncontrolled left turn on climbout. Spiral 3 times. Stalled at low altitude. Found elevator trim full down.

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.