# NTSB FTW97LA235: Piper PA-28RT-201, N8326S, Whitewright, TX, June 25, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 25, 1997, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Whitewright, TX - Coordinates: 33.510437, -96.389823 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5104&lon=-96.3898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 7, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20253 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20253/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA235 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for takeoff. A factor was the dirt bank (terrace). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - fence ## Analysis During the takeoff roll in a field, the airplane hit a dirt terrace and turned toward a fence. The airplane struck the fence, and the left wing separated from the fuselage. According to the pilot, he walked the field prior to attempting the takeoff and calculated the takeoff distance. Both the pilot and his passenger reported that the takeoff was aborted when the airplane did not accelerate fast enough. Two witnesses reported that the takeoff was not aborted until the airplane hit the terrace. ## Factual narrative On June 25, 1997, at 1530 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28RT-201 airplane, N8326S, was substantially damaged when it collided with a fence during an aborted takeoff near Whitewright, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Centerline Aviation, Inc., of Addison, Texas. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight which was originating at the time of the accident. According to the operator, on June 23, 1997, the airplane made a forced landing in a field approximately 2.5 miles southeast of Whitewright following a loss of engine power. On June 25, two mechanics employed by the operator drove to the site and replaced a sheared bolt on the airplane's throttle cable. The pilot reported that after the repair was completed, he "checked all performance charts required including weight and balance, take-off distance, density altitude, walked the field twice and did a preflight inspection." He then taxied to the "northwest corner of the field," completed a run-up, and initiated a short field takeoff "as described by the checklist." The airplane "didn't accelerate fast enough" so he aborted the takeoff and applied the brakes, "but braking action was poor." As the airplane continued to roll, it impacted a terrace in the field which "got [it] airborne shortly and turned [it] toward a fence." The airplane impacted the fence, and the left wing separated from the fuselage. The passenger reported the same sequence of events as the pilot and stated that the takeoff was aborted when the pilot "noticed that the rolling [was] not satisfactory." According to the two mechanics who witnessed the accident, the takeoff was not aborted until the airplane hit the terrace. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8326S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8326S-2017-02-22), registration cancelled 2017-02-22, S/N 28R-8118052, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28RT-201 (PA-28RT-20) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201) (registry code 7102818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-8118052 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Centerline Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Clayton E. Bockbrader - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: ADS, ADDISON, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,570 total, 100 in this make and model, 2,315 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19970625016059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970625016059A), Jun 25, 1997: Piper PA28RT201, White Right, TX, Destroyed. (-23) After repair of throttle cable by A&P, pilot complied with 91.103 then attempted to takeoff. At about 1500' distance, he decided to abort. At about the… 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.