# NTSB FTW90LA022: Piper PA-28-151, N536SF, Marietta, OK, November 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1989, 21:45 local (Nov 5, 1989, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Marietta, OK
- Coordinates: 33.930034, -97.120231 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9300&lon=-97.1202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23072
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23072/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA022

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S USE OF THE WRONG RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE TAILWIND AND RISING TERRAIN 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 terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT & 3 PASSENGERS TOOK OFF FROM A 2450 FT SOD STRIP WITH A TAILWIND.   AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CONTACTED RISING TERRAIN ABOUT 150 FT BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY  &  30 TO 40 FT ABOVE THE RWY ELEVATION. IT THEN ROLLED ABOUT 500 FT & STRUCK A BARBED WIRE FENCE & TREES. THE PLT RPRTD HE WAS AWARE THE ACFT WAS GOING TO CONTACT THE TERRAIN; THEREFORE, HE REDUCED POWER & APPLIED BRAKES. ABOUT 150 MI NORTH AT OKLAHOMA CITY, THE WIND WAS FROM 170 DEG AT 17 KTS.  PSNL AT THE AIRSTRIP ESTIMATED THE WIND WAS SOUTHERLY AT ABOUT 15 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N536SF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7715110
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Grand Prairie Aviation
- Registered owner: Jerry Mclellan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: T50
- Destination: F67, GRAND PRAIRIE, TX
- Airport: T40, Mcgehee, runway 35, 2,450 × 55 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 245 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 93 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 19891104046529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891104046529A), Nov 4, 1989: Piper PA28151, Marietta, OK, Substantial damage. Took off up hill and downwind.

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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