Piper PA-28-180 accident near Weatherford, Texas, August 21, 1999
On August 21, 1999 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-180, registered N8981J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Weatherford, Texas (Parker County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power during the initial takeoff climb for an undetermined reason. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 21, 1999 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Weatherford, Texas · Parker County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N8981J · no longer on the register · serial 28-3004
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot taxied to the run-up area and started the pre-takeoff checklist. He reported that while performing the magneto check, he noticed a '300 rpm drop on both mags.' To correct this, the pilot stated that he 'ran the rpm up to 2000 and leaned the mixture for approximately one minute.' He performed a magneto check again which resulted in a '75 rpm drop on both sides.' During takeoff from runway 17, 'everything seemed normal', however, during the takeoff initial climb, the engine 'quit.' The airplane was approximately 50 feet agl when it began to settle to the ground. The pilot lowered the nose in order to 'gain speed', and realized he had only approximately 50 to 100 feet of runway left. As the airplane neared some trees, the pilot tried to 'pull up;' however, the airplane impacted the trees and came to a stop upright against a retaining wall. The reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined.
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: 282 hours in all; 120 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 203 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 33,550 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 22, 1999; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A3A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WEA at 4:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 2,889 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:51 pm from MWL, 20 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.