Piper PA-28-235 accident near Presidio, Texas, December 30, 2021
On December 30, 2021 at about 9:50 pm local time, a 1963 Piper PA-28-235, registered N8591W, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Presidio, Texas (Presidio Lely Intl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 6 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The non-certificated pilot’s failure to perform a preflight weight and balance calculation and his decision to operate the airplane beyond the allowable center of gravity limitations, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 30, 2021 · about 9:50 pm local time
- Place
- Presidio, Texas · Presidio Lely Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 6 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-235, built 1963 · all PA-28-235s on the register
- Registration
- N8591W · no longer on the register · serial 28-10103
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-certificated pilot and 5 passengers intended to complete a personal flight. After takeoff, the airplane impacted the ground about 600 yards from the end of the runway. The airplane came to rest upright about 50 yards from the initial impact point. The pilot fled the scene and was not available during the investigation. The passengers were transported to medical facilities for treatment and did not provide any information for the investigation. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed signs that the engine was producing power at the time of impact. There was no evidence of fuel in any of the fuel tanks or on the ground near the airplane, but one fuel tank was breached at the leading edge during the accident sequence. The examination did not reveal any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Local law enforcement stated that the total weight of the occupants was about 1,153 lbs. A fuel receipt showed that the airplane had been fueled with 42.23 gallons of fuel about 2 hours before the accident flight, at another airport about 142 nautical miles (nm) away. Due to the damage to the airplane, the investigation was unable to determine the amount of fuel onboard at the time of the accident. The estimated takeoff weight of the airplane was between 2,642 lbs and 2,775 lbs, and the maximum gross weight of the airplane was 2,900 lbs. The estimated center of gravity was between +93.89 and +93.94 inches aft of datum, which was aft of the allowable limit of +93.5 inches aft of datum. It is likely that the pilot did not complete a preflight weight and balance calculation, which would have determined that the center of gravity would have been aft of the allowable limits. The aft center of gravity would have reduced the longitudinal stability during the climb out.
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 in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Weight/balance calculations › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Flight time: 16 hours in all
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-B2B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 5,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from KPRS, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KPRS 302155Z AUTO 24006KT 10SM CLR 24/07 A2990 RMK AO2 T02400067
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 5 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on November 15, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Fuel Receipt and Location | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Weight & Balance and Airplane Information | PDF, 15 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.