# NTSB FTW91LA118: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N83165, Sonora, TX, July 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1991, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Sonora, TX
- Coordinates: 30.569849, -100.640029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5698&lon=-100.6400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23363
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23363/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA118

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN.  FACTORS WERE THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - aircraft control - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - fence
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM A ROUGH, DOWNHILL AIRSTRIP ON A PRIVATE RANCH WHEN THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A CATTLE FENCE, BUSHES, AND A DIRT EMBANKMENT.  THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.  NUMEROUS GROUND SCRAPE MARKS WERE OBSERVED ON THE GROUND ALONG THE AIRPLANE'S DEPARTURE PATH.  THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS REPORTED TO BE 5,000 FEET.  THE PILOT WAS FLYING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT POSITION WITH HIS SON IN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT.  THE PILOT STATED, 'AT THE POINT OF GO/NO-GO, WE HAD TO CONTINUE AS WE COULD NOT GET STOPPED IN THAT DISTANCE.' NO MECHANICAL ANOMALIES WERE FOUND TO ANY AIRPLANE SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83165](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83165-1991-10-30), registration cancelled 1991-10-30, S/N 28R8131052 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28R8131052
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-FB1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Travis N. Hand, doing business as Hand Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Travis N. Hand
- Destination: T02, FRIENDSWOOD, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE, Whitehead Ranch, runway 36, 3,500 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,819 total, 163 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19910707026419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910707026419A), Jul 7, 1991: Piper PA28RT201T, Sonora, TX, Substantial damage. Tried depart rough downhill strip. Hit cattle fence. Nosed over. Flying right seat. Density altitude factors.

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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