# NTSB FTW98LA402: Fairchild M-62A-3, N1132N, Amarillo, TX, September 20, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 20, 1998, 18:37 local (23:37 UTC) - Place: Amarillo, TX - Location: 35.0639° N, 101.8776° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BUFFALO (1E7), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0639&lon=-101.8776&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43973 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA402 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43973/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA402 ## Probable cause The inadvertent stall due to the pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during the takeoff. ## 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 - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - object - fence ## Analysis The aircraft stalled after takeoff. The pilot stated that 'after takeoff, the aircraft drifted to the right and the airspeed was low.' He added that he lowered the nose to try and recover but there was 'inadequate altitude.' The aircraft impacted a fence and then the ground. ## Factual narrative On September 20, 1998, at 1837 central daylight time, a Fairchild M-62A-3 military vintage airplane, N1132N, owned and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground following a loss of control on takeoff from the Buffalo Airport near Amarillo, Texas. The instrument rated commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal, local flight. The 1,635 hour pilot stated in the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that "after takeoff, the aircraft drifted to the right and the airspeed was low" resulting in a stall. He then tried to recover from the stall by lowering the nose, but there was "inadequate altitude." The aircraft impacted a fence then the ground. The FAA inspector reported that the right main landing gear was found separated from the aircraft, resulting in structural damage to the landing gear attaching point. Additionally, the wooden propeller was destroyed and the fabric covering the wings was damaged. The pilot had accumulated a total of five hours in the make and model airplane. Winds at the time of the accident were reported by the pilot as being "no factor." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1132N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1132N), registered now, S/N FC-27, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fairchild M-62A-3 - Registry model: [Fairchild M-62A-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-m-62a-3) (registry code 3371618) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Fairchild 6-440 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/fairchild-6-440-series) (registry code 26003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: FC-27 - Airframe hours: 1458 - Engines: Ranger 6-440-C5 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Greg Kinnan - Registered owner: John A. Webb - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1997, 10 hours before - Departed: 1E7, AMARILLO, TX - Airport: 1E7, Buffalo Airport, runway 19, 5,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,635 total, 5 in this make and model, 1,503 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AMA, 13 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 19980920025659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980920025659A), Sep 20, 1998: Frchld M62A3, Amarillo, TX, Substantial damage. Acft stalled and crashed on the rwy on takeoff. (.19) on September 20, 1998, at 1837 central daylight time, a fairchild M-62A-3 airplane, N1132N, was… 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.