# NTSB FTW96LA353: Piper PA-36-300, N57831, Hale Center, TX, August 20, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 1996, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Hale Center, TX - Coordinates: 34.060539, -101.840965 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0605&lon=-101.8410&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 April 3, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19950 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA353 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19950/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA353 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and failure to obtain and/or maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. The overweight condition of the airplane and high density altitude were related factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll from his 3,000 foot dirt airstrip, he noticed that the airspeed was slower than normal. After dumping a small amount of wheat seed, the airspeed 'became normal' and the airplane climbed to about 75 feet AGL in a shallow left turn. Approximately one mile north of the strip, the airplane over flew a heavily watered milo field, and it began to descend. The pilot stated that he lowered the nose and again 'dumped wheat seed for approximately 750 feet,' but the airplane continued to descend. The pilot reported that 'the airplane stalled approximately 15 feet above the ground' and subsequently impacted the ground. In preparation for the aerial spreading of wheat seed, the hopper was loaded with seed, and the airplane was serviced with about 40 gallons of fuel. During the investigation, a weight and balance calculation was made using figures provided by the operator. The calculation showed that the airplane was 50 pounds over its maximum gross weight limit of 4,400 pounds. Density altitude was calculated to be 5,700 feet. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 1996, at 1400 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-300, N57831, registered to and operated by Boyd Spraying Service as a Title 14 CFR Part 137 flight impacted terrain following a loss of control during initial takeoff climb near Hale Center, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated at the time of the accident. On the enclosed Pilot/Operator Report, and during interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he had conducted aerial applications flights from the 3,000 foot dirt airstrip throughout the day. In preparation for the current flight, the wheat spreader was installed on the aircraft, the hopper was loaded with wheat seeds and the airplane serviced with about 40 gallons of fuel. This was the first takeoff of the day with the wheat spreader installed. During the takeoff roll, the pilot noted that the "airspeed was slower than normal." After dumping a "small amount" of wheat seed, the airspeed "became normal" and the airplane climbed to about 75 feet AGL in a shallow left turn. The pilot added that approximately a mile north of the airstrip, the airplane over flew a heavily watered milo field, and the airplane began to descend. The pilot further stated that he lowered the nose and again "dumped wheat seed for approximately 750 feet"; however, the airplane continued to descend. The pilot reported that "the airplane stalled approximately 15 feet above the ground" and subsequently impacted the ground. Weight and balance calculations were performed using figures provided by the operator. An estimate of the weight of the airplane at the time of the accident places the airplane 50 pounds above the airplane's maximum gross weight of 4,400 pounds for takeoff. The pilot reported that thunderstorms were building in the area. The temperature was 84 degrees Fahrenheit and the density altitude was calculated by the investigator-in-charge to be 5,700 feet at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the gear, wings, engine mounts, and firewall sustained structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57831](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57831-2013-04-24), registration cancelled 2013-04-24, S/N 36-7760004, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-36-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-36-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-300) (registry code 7103612) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-720 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-720-series) (registry code 41546, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36-7760004 - Airframe hours: 4862 - Engines: Lycoming IO-720-A1B 400 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Boyd'S Spraying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1996, 61 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 19,250 total, 19,150 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LBB, 180 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 19960820023449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960820023449A), Aug 20, 1996: Piper PA36300, Hale Center, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft took off, lost power, made emergency landing. Damage to fuselage and wings. (.4)the pilot stated that during the takeoff roll from his 3,000 foot dirt… ## Other investigations on N57831 (1) 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 MIA77FKG76](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77FKG76), Sep 12, 1977: Piper PA36 (N57831), Byromville, GA, 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.