# NTSB FTW95LA204: Piper PA-28-181, N75256, Baytown, TX, May 16, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1995, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Baytown, TX
- Coordinates: 29.740766, -94.95919 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7408&lon=-94.9592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19422
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19422/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA204

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER GLIDEPATH DURING LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING A DAY VFR APPROACH THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS 'LOSING ALTITUDE AND APPROACHING A GROVE OF TREES.'  HE REPORTED THAT HE APPLIED FULL POWER AND PULLED THE NOSE UP IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID THE TREES. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TREES, ROTATED COUNTER CLOACKWISE, AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On May 16, 1995, at 1630 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 181, N75256, was substantially damaged during an approach to landing near Baytown, Texas.  The pilot and passenger received minor injuries.  No flight plan was filed for the CFR 14 Part 91 flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local, personal flight.  The aircraft was owned and operated by Raceco Incorporated of Baytown, Texas.

During an interview conducted by a Federal aviation Administration (FAA) inspector and in his written report the pilot stated that while on final approach to runway 14 at Baytown Airport, he "noticed the aircraft losing altitude and a grove of trees rising."  He then applied full power and "pulled the nose up to climb over the trees."  He further stated that the airplane "impacted the trees before he could clear them."  After impact, the airplane rotated through the trees to the left and came to rest pointed away from the runway.  The wings and fuselage were structurally damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75256](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75256-1998-09-16), registration cancelled 1998-09-16, S/N 287690319 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7690319
- Airframe hours: 3409
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raceco, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 1995
- Departed: HPY
- Airport: HPY, Baytown, runway 14, 4,200 × 48 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 91 total, 5 in this make and model, 27 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 10 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 19950516013049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950516013049A), May 16, 1995: Piper PA28181, Baytown, TX, Substantial damage. Too low on final. Took belated action to clear trees. Impacted trees with climb power.

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.