# NTSB FTW99LA136: Piper PA-28-235, N9009W, Sulphur Springs, TX, May 7, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 1999, 16:25 local (21:25 UTC) - Place: Sulphur Springs, TX - Coordinates: 33.139434, -95.609275 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1394&lon=-95.6093&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46279 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46279/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA136 ## Probable cause The delayed aborted takeoff by the pilot-in-command. Factors were the short runway, the tall grass, and the tree. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - airspeed(vr) - not attained - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane impacted a tree during an aborted takeoff from a 2,000-foot private grass airstrip. The private pilot stated that the takeoff roll was normal and all engine gauges and flight instruments appeared normal, except for the airspeed indicator needle, which remained between 65 and 70 knots. The pilot aborted the takeoff and maneuvered the airplane off the right side of the runway to avoid a tree. However, the airplane's right wing contacted another tree. The grass at the airstrip was between 12 and 14 inches high. The airplane's engine was test run in the airframe at various power settings, including full power. The engine operated within the manufacturer's specifications. The engine maintenance logbooks were reviewed and no record of any uncorrected maintenance discrepancies was found. ## Factual narrative On May 7, 1999, at 1625 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-235 airplane, N9009W, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree during an aborted takeoff from a private grass airstrip near Sulphur Springs, Texas. The private pilot, who was the registered owner and operator of the airplane, and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for the Arlington Municipal Airport (F54), Arlington, Texas. According to the 897-hour pilot, the airplane was departing to the south from the 2,000-foot turf runway. He stated that during the takeoff roll, all engine gauges and flight instruments appeared normal, except for the airspeed indicator needle, which remained between 65 and 70 knots. The airplane had traveled 3/4 of the length of the runway when he aborted the takeoff. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to exit the right side (west) of the runway, to avoid contacting a tree. However, the airplane's right wing contacted another tree and the airplane came to a stop upright, on the west side of the runway. An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site and reported that the right wing, including the wing spar, was damaged. The nose landing gear was collapsed. He added that the grass on the turf runway was between 12 and 14 inches high. The engine was examined and test run in the airframe, at Air Salvage of Dallas, Lancaster, Texas, under guidance of the NTSB. The engine was started and operated at various power settings for approximately 15 minutes. Specifications for the Lycoming O-540-B4B5 engine and Sensenich 1P235PF80BM8 fixed pitch propeller state that at FULL POWER the RPM will indicate between 2150 and 2300 RPM. At FULL POWER the RPM fluctuated between 2150 and 2200 RPM. All other engine gauges indicated within the range of normal engine operation. The top and bottom spark plugs were removed from the engine. Each of the six top spark plugs was observed free of sediment and fired consistently when bench tested. The bottom spark plugs appeared free of sediment except for the number 4 and number 1 spark plugs, which displayed a white sediment. When bench tested, the number 4 bottom spark plug and the number 1 bottom spark plug fired intermittently at various power settings. The number 2, 3, 5, and 6 bottom spark plugs fired consistently when bench tested. Additionally, the engine and airframe maintenance logbooks were reviewed and no record of any uncorrected discrepancies was found. The airplane underwent its last annual inspection on May 7, 1999, at 1,642 hours total time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9009W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9009W), registered now, S/N 28-10591, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-10591 - Airframe hours: 1642 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ralph W. Tidwell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1999, 1 hours before - Destination: F54, ARLINGTON, TX - Airport: NONE, Thornbird Ranch, runway 18, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 897 total, 600 in this make and model, 885 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GVT, 43 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 19990507045629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990507045629A), May 7, 1999: Piper PA28235, Sulphur Springs, TX, No damage. (-23)Owner/operator stated that when he attempted to take off from a private grass strip, the engine sounded normal, but ground speed did not rise above 65-70… 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.