# NTSB FTW99LA197: Piper PA-25-235, N6736Z, Fabens, TX, July 22, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 1999, 09:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Fabens, TX - Coordinates: 31.499092, -106.150375 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4991&lon=-106.1504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46853 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46853/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA197 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions. A factor was the windshear weather conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor) - flight into adverse weather - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - wire,transmission - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - object - pole - On ground/water collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - fence ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane was loaded with 80 gallons of cottonseed oil and 30 gallons of aviation gasoline. He taxied to the departure end of the runway and performed a 'normal full rich mixture and full throttle roll' then lifted off approximately 1/3 down the length of the runway. The pilot stated that the airplane climbed approximately 100 feet above the ground and then encountered a 'windshear...and there was a loss of lift.' The pilot added that the airplane's engine was producing 'full power and red line RPM and full rich mixture.' He attempted to maintain altitude without stalling the airplane; however, the propeller clipped a power line. The airplane's left wing impacted a power line pole, the airplane's right wing then impacted another power line pole, and the airplane came to rest against a brick fence. According to the El Paso weather facility, located 22 miles northwest of the accident site, there were towering cumulonimbus clouds to the southeast near the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 1999, approximately 0910 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 agricultural airplane, N6736Z, was substantially damaged when it impacted a power line, power line pole, and a residential brick fence after encountering windshear during takeoff from the Fabens Airport, Fabens, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot, d.b.a. Eagle Ag Service, Inc., El Paso, Texas. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight was originating when the accident occurred. In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that the airplane was loaded with "80 gallons of cotton seed oil and material in the hopper and 30 gallons of 100LL fuel in the fuel tank." The pilot stated that he taxied to runway 26 and performed a "normal full rich mixture and full throttle roll" and rotated approximately 1/3 down the length of the runway. He added that the airplane climbed approximately 100 feet above the runway and "a windshear hit and there was a loss of lift." The pilot stated that the engine was producing "full power and red line RPM and full rich mixture." He stated that he attempted to maintain altitude without stalling; however, the propeller clipped a power line. The airplane's left wing then impacted the power line pole, and the airplane impacted another power line pole with the right wing. The airplane impacted the ground and came to rest against a brick fence. The FAA inspector, who visited the accident site, stated that the airplane's left wing was found separated from the fuselage, and the fuselage was structurally damaged. He added that he, "could find no anomalies with the aircraft that would have prevented the operation of the airplane." At 0951, the El Paso weather facility (located 22 miles northwest of the accident site) reported a few towering cumulonimbus clouds at 4,000 feet. In the remarks section of that report it mentioned towering cumulonimbus clouds were present to the southeast. The wind at El Paso was reported at 160 degrees at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6736Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6736Z-2014-11-21), registration cancelled 2014-11-21, S/N 25-2349, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-2349 - Airframe hours: 7107 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A1C5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Eagle Ag Service - Registered owner: Curtis L. Hemme - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1998, 128 hours before - Departed: E35 - Airport: E35, Fabens Airport, runway 26, 4,200 × 60 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 27,128 total, 19,900 in this make and model, 27,120 as pilot in command, 78 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ELP, 22 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 19990722037169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990722037169A), Jul 22, 1999: Piper PA25235, Fabens, TX, Substantial damage. (.4) On July 22, 1999, approximately 0910 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 agricultral airplane, N6736Z, was substantially damaged when it impacted a… 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.