# NTSB FTW98LA303: Piper PA-60-602P, N6898Y, Beaumont, TX, July 7, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 1998, 06:35 local (11:35 UTC) - Place: Beaumont, TX - Location: 29.9434° N, 94.0064° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from JACK BROOKS RGNL (BPT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9434&lon=-94.0064&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20673 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20673/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA303 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while attempting to return to the airport. Factors were the open baggage compartment door and the pilot's diverted attention to the open door. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - door,cargo/baggage - open (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis An IFR flight plan was filed and a clearance was received for the 337 nautical mile flight. After departure from runway 12, while at approximately 200 feet above the ground, the non-instrument rated private pilot reported that a door had opened in flight and he was returning to the airport. The airplane impacted trees and terrain approximately one mile from the approach end of runway 30. Examination of the wreckage by FAA inspectors revealed that the door for the baggage compartment had damage consistent with an open door. Physical evidence and ground signatures at the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted the ground at a high rate of descent, at relatively low forward speed, while configured with the landing gear and flaps extended. FAA records revealed that the pilot had accumulated a total of 1,850 flight hours. The pilot's level of experience on the accident airplane could not be determined; however, the investigation revealed that the 1982 model airplane was purchased by the company 4 months prior to the accident. Despite several attempts to obtain a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot did not return the requested form. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 1998, at 0635 central daylight time, a Piper PA-60-602P twin engine airplane, N6898Y, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain while attempting to return to land at the Jefferson County Airport, near Beaumont, Texas. The non-instrument rated private pilot/owner and his passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was registered to the W.H. Watkins Company, of Batesville, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight for which an IFR flight plan was filed. The flight, which was destined for the Panola County Airport, near Batesville, Mississippi, was originating at the time of the accident. According to personnel at the airport, an IFR flight plan was filed and a clearance was received for the 337 nautical mile flight. After departure from runway 12, approximately 200 feet above the ground, the pilot reported that a door had opened in flight and he was returning to the airport. The airplane impacted trees and terrain approximately one mile from the approach end of runway 30. Examination of the wreckage by FAA inspectors who responded to the accident site revealed that the door for the unpressurized baggage compartment, which is located on the left side of fuselage, aft of the fuel cell, had damage consistent with an open door. The FAA inspector stated that physical evidence and ground signatures at the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted the ground at a high rate of descent, at relatively low forward speed. At the time of impact, the airplane was configured with the landing gear and flaps extended. According to FAA records, the private pilot obtained his private pilot certificate on December 2, 1994. Additionally, the pilot had accumulated a total of 1,850 flight hours at the time of his last FAA medical examination on January 24, 1997. The pilot's level of experience in the accident airplane could not be determined; however, the investigation revealed that the 1982 model airplane was purchased by the company 4 months prior to the accident. Despite several attempts to obtain a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot did not return the requested form. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6898Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6898Y-2010-05-04), registration cancelled 2010-05-04, S/N 60-8265010, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-60-602P - Registry model: [Piper PA-60-602P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-60-602p) (registry code 7106015) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 60-8265010 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AA1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William H. Watkins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BPT - Destination: 0M6, BATESVILLE, MS - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BPT, Jefferson County Airport, runway 12, 6,751 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,850 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: calm - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BPT, 1 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 19980707044109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980707044109A), Jul 7, 1998: Piper PA60602P, Beaumont Port A, TX, Substantial damage. (.4) On July 7, 1998, at 0635 central daylight time, a Piper PA-60-602P twin engine airplane, N6898Y, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and… 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.