Piper PA-28-151 accident near Springtown, Texas, July 14, 1999
On July 14, 1999 at about 10:39 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-151, registered N44677, was substantially damaged in an accident near Springtown, Texas (Kezer Air Ranch airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees during the initial takeoff climb. A factor was the high density altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 1999 · about 10:39 pm local time
- Place
- Springtown, Texas · Kezer Air Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-151 · all PA-28-151s on the register
- Registration
- N44677 · no longer on the register · serial 28-7415703
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane veered to the left side of the runway while attempting to takeoff from runway 17. The left wing of the airplane struck trees and terrain on the east side of the 20-foot wide, 2,400-foot long asphalt runway. The owner of the airstrip observed the airplane impact trees at approximately 15 feet above the ground during takeoff climb. The witness reported that 'the engine sounded as if it was producing takeoff power.' The 115-hour private pilot reported that, due to a concussion he suffered during the accident sequence, he did not have any recollection of any phase of the accident flight. The recorded winds at the Mineral Wells Airport, located approximately 25 nautical miles to the southwest, were reported from 180 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The density altitude was calculated by the NTSB IIC at 3,398 feet.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 115 hours in all; 10 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 2,400 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:52 pm from MWL, 15 miles away
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.