Piper PA-28-140 N9687W
22 May 1994 · Pottsboro, Texas, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 22 May 1994 at about 01:15 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N9687W, operated by Gary R. Ludwig, was involved in an accident near Pottsboro, Texas, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 01:15
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Pottsboro, Texas, United States
- Nearest airport
- Grandpappy Point (NONE)
- Coordinates
- 33.7707, -96.6695
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140
- Registration
- N9687W
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Gary R. Ludwig
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Dallas
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW94LA171
People
2 people were seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO DETERMINE, PRIOR TO LANDING AT THE AIRPORT, THAT THE RUNWAY LENGTH WOULD BE INADEQUATE FOR A SAFE TAKEOFF, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED SHORT-FIELD TAKEOFF PROCEDURES. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT'S OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
FOLLOWING A SOCIAL EVENT ATTENDED BY MANY OF THE PILOT'S FRIENDS, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO DEPART FROM A 1,500-FT AIRSTRIP ADJACENT TO THE MEETING AREA (1,100 FT AVAILABLE FOR TAKEOFF AND LANDING). THE PILOT USED 10 DEG OF FLAPS INSTEAD OF THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED 25 DEG. ACCORDING TO THE AIRPLANE OPERATOR'S MANUAL, 1,700 FT WAS REQUIRED TO CLEAR A 50-FT OBSTACLE AT SEA LEVEL. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 2,000 FT. THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE 1,397 FT FROM HIS POINT OF BRAKE RELEASE TO AVOID IMPACTING TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT WING WAS SHEARED OFF AFTER IMPACTING A TREE. THE PASSENGERS STATED THAT THE PILOT WAS 'SHOWING OFF' HIS PILOT SKILLS FOR HIS FRIENDS BY LANDING IN SUCH A SMALL STRIP.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-28 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Jul 1994 | Piper PA-28-140 | Augusta, Maine, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 30 Oct 1994 | Piper PA-28-180C | Nunda, New York, United States | Raymond J. Marshall | No injuries | - |
| 5 Mar 1994 | Piper PA-28-180 | St. Matthews, South Carolina, United States | JB Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 31 Jul 1994 | Piper PA-28-181 | Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 25 Sep 1994 | Piper PA-28 | Woodland, California, United States | William R. LEE | No injuries | - |
| 17 Jan 1994 | Piper PA-28-180 | Boynton Beach, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
All 9,402 records for this type
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 1994 | Piper PA-28-151 | McKinney, Texas, United States | Centerline Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 1 Jan 1994 | Hughes 369HS | Mason, Texas, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 18 Jan 1994 | Cessna 150D | Mount Pleasant, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jan 1994 | Piper PA-34-200T | Dallas, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 10 Jan 1994 | Nelson FORD V-6 STOL 262 | San Benito, Texas, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 3 Feb 1994 | Cessna T210H | McAllen, Texas, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |