Event DFW05LA106

Factual narrative

On April 21, 2005, at 0945 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18-105 single-engine tail wheel airplane, N228T, was substantially damaged during a runway overrun following an aborted takeoff from a farmer's field near Perry, Oklahoma. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from Stillwater Regional Airport (SWO), near Stillwater, Oklahoma, at 0845. The 198-hour private pilot reported on the Pilot/Operator Accident Report Form (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that after a normal engine run-up, he applied full power and began a take-off heading south. He stated that after the tail became light, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power and the tail began to settle. At this point, the airplane hit a mound of dirt and was launched into the air below stall speed. The airplane then "fell out of the air on to a piece of farm machinery". An FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, noted that fuel was present at the crash site, and no visible anomalies were noted with the engine. During contact with the farm equipment, both aircraft wings were ripped from the fuselage and bent. Additionally, the empennage was shredded by the farm machinery. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. At 1053, the automated weather observing system at SWO, located approximately 10 miles from the accident site, reported wind from 170 degrees at 12 knots, gusts to 20 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, broken clouds at 1,800 feet, temperature 75 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 63 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of Mercury. The 198-hour private pilot reported that after a normal engine run-up, he applied full power and began a takeoff heading south from a grass field . He stated that after the tail became light, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power and the tail began to settle. At this point, the airplane hit a mound of dirt and was launched into the air below stall speed. The airplane then "fell out of the air on to a piece of farm machinery". The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12