Piper PA-28-180 accident near Streetman, Texas, April 25, 2011
On April 25, 2011 at about 5:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-180, registered N6492J, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Streetman, Texas (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The airplane’s inability to establish a climb for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 25, 2011 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Streetman, Texas · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N6492J · no longer on the register · serial 28-4923
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and two passengers departed a private airstrip on a cross-country flight. Shortly after departure, the pilot perceived that the engine was not producing power. The pilot checked the throttle, mixture, and electric fuel pump; however, the airplane descended into trees near the runway. The pilot stated that he believed a windshear gust took lift from the airplane or that the engine lost compression or stopped producing power. He further stated that the engine was running, but it felt as if the throttle had been pulled off. A postcrash fire consumed much of the fuselage and thermally damaged the engine, which precluded a detailed examination of the ignition and fuel systems. The airplane impacted several trees during the accident. A small tree, about 4 inches in diameter, appeared to be sheared in two by the propeller. The marks and cuts at the accident site, as well as physical signatures on the propeller blades, were consistent with the engine producing power at the time of the accident. The reason for the airplane’s descent into the trees was not determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 200 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: September 6, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,332 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 20, 2011
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Fairhaven LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Streetman TX
- Destination: 4F2 Carthage TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 14, 2,027 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 16 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,500 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.65 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KCRS
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.