# NTSB FTW93LA194: Piper PA-28-140, N6695W, Hondo, TX, June 19, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1993, 16:58 local (21:58 UTC)
- Place: Hondo, TX
- Coordinates: 29.349231, -99.14965 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3492&lon=-99.1496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18778
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18778/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA194

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER EVALUATION OF THE WEATHER WHICH LED TO THE DOWNWIND TAKEOFF. FACTORS WERE THE WINDSHIFT AND THE TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
- Nose over, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE WIND SHIFTED TO A TAIL WIND AFTER HE BOARDED THE AIRPLANE FOR TAKEOFF. HE STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF THE WAY DOWN THE 2,000 FOOT GRASS STRIP AND THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLIMB. HE ELECTED TO ABORT AND THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY RAN OFF THE END OFF THE RUNWAY INTO A PLOWED FIELD AND NOSED OVER. NUMEROUS ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WERE IN THE AREA AT THE TIME.

## Factual narrative

On Saturday, June 19, 1993, at approximately 1658 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N6695W, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during a rejected takeoff at a private strip near Hondo, Texas.  The airplane, owned by the commercial pilot, was departing on a local personal flight.  There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Neither the pilot, nor the three passengers, were injured.

The pilot stated that when he was preparing for the flight the wind was steady out of the southwest, he therefore elected to takeoff to the south.  He further stated that he broke ground about three quarters of the way down the 2,000 foot grass strip, but, the airplane would not climb.  He then aborted the takeoff and touched back down on the strip.  The airplane subsequently ran off the end of the runway into a plowed field and nosed over. The pilot stated that when he exited the airplane, he noticed that the wind was out of the north.  He further stated that he had just mowed the strip and the grass was between one and two inches high and not "too" wet.  Numerous isolated thunderstorms were in the area at the time.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6695W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6695W), registered now, S/N 28-20804 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-20804
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Decker, Kirk K.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1992, 30 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Decker Ranch, runway 17, 2,000 × 30 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 100 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19930619019609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930619019609A), Jun 19, 1993: Piper PA28140, Hondo, TX, Substantial damage. Failed to accelerate or liftoff at last third runway. Aborted. Ran off end nosed over. Wind had shifted to tail.

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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