# NTSB FTW95LA387: Piper PA-24-180, N5949P, Cibolo, TX, September 10, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 10, 1995, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Cibolo, TX - Coordinates: 29.570978, -98.229248 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5710&lon=-98.2292&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19578 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA387 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19578/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA387 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION AND FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, WHILE THERE WAS SUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence ## Analysis ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING TAKEOFF ROLL ON A GRASS AIRSTRIP, THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF, 'DID NOT CLIMB', AND COLLIDED WITH A FENCE BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT, THE TAKEOFF ROLL WAS 'SLOWER THAN NORMAL' BUT, 'EXPECTED BECAUSE OF LONG GRASS.' ## Factual narrative On September 10, 1995, at 1200 central daylight time, a Piper PA- 24-180, N5945P, was substantially damaged after colliding with a fence during takeoff at Kardys Airstrip, near Cibolo, Texas. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a personal cross country flight to Victoria, Texas, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported the following information in the Pilot/Operator Report. The takeoff roll was "somewhat slower than normal, but expected because of the longer grass." After reaching "lift off speed" the aircraft was rotated, and lifted off, but did not climb. As there was insufficient runway to land on, the pilot picked a spot of least resistance. Subsequently, the aircraft was flown through a fence. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated that, he knew he was slow during the takeoff roll, but did not abort because he was taught that it was safer to continue. According to the FAA inspector, the airplane came to rest 78 feet past the departure end of the runway. The left wing and the horizontal stabilator were structurally damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5949P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5949P), registered now, S/N 24-1040, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1035 - Airframe hours: 1414 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Floyd E. Wilkes - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1995, 21 hours before - Departed: 15R - Destination: VCT, VICTORIA, TX - Airport: 15R, Kardys Airport, runway 33, 3,300 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 109 total, 109 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SAT, 12 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 19950910033119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950910033119A), Sep 10, 1995: Piper PA24250, Cibolo, TX, Substantial damage. Failed to climb after liftoff. Struck a fence. Tall grass on runway. ## Other investigations on N5949P (2) 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. - [NTSB MIA80DLD61](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80DLD61), Apr 21, 1980: Piper PA-24 (N5949P), Lakeland, FL, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA68F0225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68F0225), Oct 4, 1967: Piper PA-24 (N5949P), Alabaster, AL, substantial damage 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.