# NTSB FTW94LA171: Piper PA-28-140, N9687W, Pottsboro, TX, May 22, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 1994, 20:15 local (May 22, 1994, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Pottsboro, TX - Coordinates: 33.770713, -96.669502 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7707&lon=-96.6695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19064 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19064/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA171 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO DETERMINE, PRIOR TO LANDING AT THE AIRPORT, THAT THE RUNWAY LENGTH WOULD BE INADEQUATE FOR A SAFE TAKEOFF, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED SHORT-FIELD TAKEOFF PROCEDURES. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT'S OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - short field takeoff/procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis FOLLOWING A SOCIAL EVENT ATTENDED BY MANY OF THE PILOT'S FRIENDS, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO DEPART FROM A 1,500-FT AIRSTRIP ADJACENT TO THE MEETING AREA (1,100 FT AVAILABLE FOR TAKEOFF AND LANDING). THE PILOT USED 10 DEG OF FLAPS INSTEAD OF THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED 25 DEG. ACCORDING TO THE AIRPLANE OPERATOR'S MANUAL, 1,700 FT WAS REQUIRED TO CLEAR A 50-FT OBSTACLE AT SEA LEVEL. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 2,000 FT. THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE 1,397 FT FROM HIS POINT OF BRAKE RELEASE TO AVOID IMPACTING TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING WAS SHEARED OFF AFTER IMPACTING A TREE. THE PASSENGERS STATED THAT THE PILOT WAS 'SHOWING OFF' HIS PILOT SKILLS FOR HIS FRIENDS BY LANDING IN SUCH A SMALL STRIP. ## Factual narrative On May 21, 1994, at 2015 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N9687W, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Pottsboro, Texas. The private pilot was not injured, while his two passengers sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The pilot reported manually positioning the airplane against the Grandpappy Point airstrip perimeter fence to take advantage of all the available runway for the takeoff roll. He added that during the takeoff ground run, the airplane did not attain sufficient airspeed to lift off, so he aborted the takeoff, and elected to intentionally veer to the left to avoid colliding with the trees at the departure end of the strip. He further reported that the right wing was sheared off after impacting a tree, and the airplane came to rest on its side. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the 1,500 foot sod airstrip had only 1,100 feet available for landing and takeoff. He stated that the pilot used one notch of flaps (10 degrees) instead of the two notches (25 degrees) recommended by the airplane manufacturer for a short field takeoff. According to the aircraft operator's manual, 1,700 feet was required to clear a 50 foot obstacle at sea level. Density altitude was estimated at 2,000 feet. The FAA inspector further stated that evidence was found at the airstrip showing that the pilot elected to abort the takeoff at a point 1,397 feet from the point the brakes were released during the takeoff roll. Both passengers submitted detailed statements. They both stated that the purpose of the flight was to attend a social event/barbecue held at a gazebo adjacent to the landing strip. The event was attended by many of the pilot's friends, and the passengers stated that the pilot was "showing off" his pilot skills by landing in such a small strip. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9687W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9687W-1996-01-27), registration cancelled 1996-01-27, S/N 2823157 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-23157 - Airframe hours: 5022 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gary R. Ludwig - Registered owner: Gerald W. Jones - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1994, 10 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: ADS, DALLAS, TX - Airport: NONE, Grandpappy Point ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,505 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,429 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: F39, 8 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 19940521012049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940521012049A), May 21, 1994: Piper PA28140, Sherman, TX, Substantial damage. Tried to depart Private strip too short for aircraft. Aborted near end and ground looped. Sheared a wing. 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.