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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 8, 1989 · Piper PA-22 · N8727D

Amarillo, TX

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 8, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Amarillo, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-22
Tail Number
N8727D
Operator
John R Wellborn
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW90LA008

AFTER DEPARTURE THE AIRCRAFT STARTED A LEFT TURN WHICH THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT BY APPLYING RIGHT AILERON AND RUDDER INPUTS. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE AIRCRAFT TO RETURN TO THE AIRSTRIP FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. DURING THE MANEUVER, THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND STALLED, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT DID NOT USE A CHECK LIST BEFORE TAKE OFF AND FAILED TO SEE THAT THE STABILIZER WAS SET TO THE FULL NOSE DOWN POSITION. THE PILOT SKIDDED THE AIRCRAFT AND DEPLETED THE AIRSPEED TO AVOID A CRANE BOOM AND POWER LINES RESULTING IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL BY THE PILOT.

Full Narrative

AFTER DEPARTURE THE AIRCRAFT STARTED A LEFT TURN WHICH THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT BY APPLYING RIGHT AILERON AND RUDDER INPUTS. THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE AIRCRAFT TO RETURN TO THE AIRSTRIP FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. DURING THE MANEUVER, THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND STALLED, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT DID NOT USE A CHECK LIST BEFORE TAKE OFF AND FAILED TO SEE THAT THE STABILIZER WAS SET TO THE FULL NOSE DOWN POSITION. THE PILOT SKIDDED THE AIRCRAFT AND DEPLETED THE AIRSPEED TO AVOID A CRANE BOOM AND POWER LINES RESULTING IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:10 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway26
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-22
Tail NumberN8727D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn R Wellborn
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

External Links

Appendix: Source Data