# NTSB FTW96LA379: Piper PA-18, N7467D, Palestine, TX, September 8, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 8, 1996, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Palestine, TX - Location: 31.7545° N, 95.6470° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palestine, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7545&lon=-95.6470&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19973 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA379 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19973/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA379 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection 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 - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - object - fence ## Analysis During takeoff from the 1,000 foot, down-hill sloped grass field, the airplane became airborne, but impacted a barbed wire fence at the end of the field. The passenger in the airplane reported that the grass in the field was approximately 2 to 3 feet high. The airplane came to rest in a ditch along the side of the road that the barbed wire fence bordered. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed pilot/operator report of the accident were unsuccessful. ## Factual narrative On September 8, 1996, at 1700 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18, N7467D, registered to and operated by a private owner, sustained substantial damage during takeoff near Palestine, Texas. The private pilot was seriously injured, and his passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not filed for the local flight that was originating at the time of the accident. During a takeoff to the east from a 1,000 foot, down-hill sloped grass field, the airplane became airborne, but impacted a barbed wire fence at the end of the field. The passenger in the airplane reported that the grass in the field was approximately 2 to 3 feet high. The airplane came to rest in a ditch along the side of the road that the barbed wire fence bordered. Both wings, the empennage, and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7467D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7467D-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 18-5796, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-5796 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Royce D. Bernard - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: front ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 8 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: TYR, 30 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 19960908026349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960908026349A), Sep 8, 1996: Piper PA18, Palestine, TX, Destroyed. Aircraft struck a fence and crashed in a field while taking off from a pasture. ## Other investigations on N7467D (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 DEN85LA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA248), Sep 24, 1985: Piper PA-18 (N7467D), Deming, NM, 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.