Piper PA-28R-180 accident near Corpus Christi, Texas, June 14, 2021
On June 14, 2021 at about 7:50 pm local time, a 1968 Piper PA-28R-180, registered N7476J, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Corpus Christi, Texas (Corpus Christi Intl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 14, 2021 · about 7:50 pm local time
- Place
- Corpus Christi, Texas · Corpus Christi Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-180, built 1968 · all PA-28R-180s on the register
- Registration
- N7476J · registry record · serial 28R-30831
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane’s cockpit temperature was extremely hot during the taxi to the runway. During the takeoff roll, the pilot applied full engine power and the airplane drifted left of the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to correct with a right rudder input, but the airplane continued to go to the left. The airplane struck a runway sign and lights on the left side of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
- Runway excursion during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 134 hours in all; 26 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 11 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 27, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CRP Corpus Christi TX at 7:50 pm
- Destination: BRO Brownsville TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13/3, 7,510 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 2:51 pm from KCRP
Weather report (METAR): KCRP 141951Z 04006KT 10SM FEW035 FEW050 SCT220 36/21 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP134 TCU DSNT N NE S T03560211
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN21LA269.