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NTSB Report
March 17, 1985 · Piper PA-28-140 · N15131
Athens, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 17, 1985
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Athens, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N15131
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85LA154
THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED INTO THE TERRAIN DURING AN INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. THE TAKEOFF WAS MADE ON A 1830 FT SOD STRIP WHICH IS BORDERED ON THE DEPARTURE END BY TREES. THE PLT STATED HE USED FULL THROTTLE (2400-2450 RPM) BUT ONLY ACHIEVED 60-63 MPH. HE CONTINUED TO REPORT THAT ONCE BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE ACFT WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALT AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT WAS ENTERED. THE LEFT WING CONTACTED TREES AFTER WHICH THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PLT REPORTED THE STALL WARNING CAME ON EARLY IN THE TAKEOFF BUT HE CORRECTED THE SITUATION BY LOWERING THE NOSE.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED INTO THE TERRAIN DURING AN INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. THE TAKEOFF WAS MADE ON A 1830 FT SOD STRIP WHICH IS BORDERED ON THE DEPARTURE END BY TREES. THE PLT STATED HE USED FULL THROTTLE (2400-2450 RPM) BUT ONLY ACHIEVED 60-63 MPH. HE CONTINUED TO REPORT THAT ONCE BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE ACFT WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALT AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT WAS ENTERED. THE LEFT WING CONTACTED TREES AFTER WHICH THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PLT REPORTED THE STALL WARNING CAME ON EARLY IN THE TAKEOFF BUT HE CORRECTED THE SITUATION BY LOWERING THE NOSE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN15131
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind315° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO