Piper PA-11 accident near Burkburnett, Texas, July 15, 1993
On July 15, 1993 at about 10:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-11, registered N4834M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Burkburnett, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE DISCONNECTION OF THE UP ELEVATOR CABLE FROM THE CONTROL HORN. A FACTOR WAS THE INCORRECT INSTALLATION OF THE BOLT AND CASTLE NUT BY UNKNOWN MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 15, 1993 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- Burkburnett, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-11 · all PA-11s on the register
- Registration
- N4834M · registry record · serial 11-345
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AFTER SIGHTSEEING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, THE PILOT INITIATED A RIGHT BANK TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN DESCENDING AND FULL BACK PRESSURE WOULD NOT ARREST THE DESCENT. THE PILOT LEVELED THE WINGS AND APPLIED FULL POWER. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A RIVER SAND BAR. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THE UP ELEVATOR CABLE WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE CONTROL HORN. A BOLT, SEVERAL CASTLE NUTS, WASHERS, SHEET METAL SCREWS, A SPACER AND A REMNANT OF A COTTER PIN WERE VACUUMED FROM THE FLOOR OF THE AIRPLANE BENEATH THE ELEVATOR CONTROL HORN. THE AIRPLANE HAD ACCUMULATED 142 HOURS SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION 10 MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 283 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 245 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,217 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 21, 1992; 142 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65-8F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SPS Wichita Falls TX at 9:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.