# NTSB FTW94LA030: Piper PA-28-140, N6776W, Fredericksburg, TX, November 9, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1993, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Fredericksburg, TX
- Coordinates: 30.270185, -98.870796 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2702&lon=-98.8708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18967
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18967/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA030

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S UTILIZATION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FORCED BY LOW CEILINGS AND VISIBILITIES TO LAND IN A PASTURE 8 MILES FROM HIS INTENDED DESTINATION. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RECOVER THE AIRPLANE BACK TO THE AIRPORT ON THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE AIRPLANE CLEARED A FENCE AT THE END OF THE PASTURE, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO CLEAR THE TOP OF THE 20 TO 25 FOOT TALL TREES SURROUNDING THE PASTURE.

## Factual narrative

On November 9, 1993, at 1530 central standard time, a Piper     PA-28-140, N6776W, was substantially damaged durimg initial takeoff climb from a pasture near Fredericksburg, Texas.  The private pilot was not injured.  Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.  No flight plan was filed.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane made a precautionary landing on the open pasture on the previous day.  The the pilot had been unable to land at the Gillespie County Airport, near Fredericksburg, Texas, due to low ceilings and visibilities.  The purpose of the flight was to recover the airplane from the pasture and fly it to the Gillespie Airport, approximately 8 miles to the southeast.

The pilot stated that the airplane cleared the fence at the end of the pasture, but was not able to clear the top of the trees.  Trees surrounding the pasture were estimated to be 15 to 20 feet tall.  Density altitude was calculated at 2700 feet.  The pilot did not report any maintenance anomalies prior to the accident.  The outboard half of both wings sustained structural damage and the fuselage was bent.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6776W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6776W-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 28-20904, built 1965 (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: 28-20904
- Airframe hours: 2704
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kramer, Levi W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 8, 1993, 21 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 514 total, 514 in this make and model, 34 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 1.5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 59 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 19931109042479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931109042479A), Nov 9, 1993: Piper PA28140, Fredricksburg, TX, Substantial damage. Landed in pasture previous day due to IMC at T82. Took off to fly to T82. Struck trees on climbout.

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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