LAX83LA189

Factual narrative

THE PLT WAS ON A FLT FROM QUANAH, TX TO CHANDLER, AZ TO DELIVER THE ACFT FOR A SALE. HE HAD BEEN ON THE FERRY FLT FOR 6 HRS WHEN HE LANDED AT MARANA, AZ. AFTER REFUELING, RAISING THE ENG COWL, INSPECTING THE ENG & WIPING OFF AN ACCUMULATION OF OIL, HE TOOK OFF. DURING THE CLIMB, WITHIN 1 MI OF THE ARPT, THE PLT NOTICED THAT THE COWL WAS LOOSE & WAS FLAPPING. IT WAS TWILIGHT & RWY 30 WAS UNLIGHTED, SO THE PLT COMMENCED A LOW, SLOW TURN TOWARD RWY 3. WHILE MANEUVERING, THE ACFT'S LEFT WING IMPACTED LEVEL TERRAIN ON ARPT PROPERTY & THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED. DURING A POST-ACCIDENT INTERVIEW, THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT PRIOR TO TAKEOFF, HE WAS TIRED & JUST 'GOOFED IT UP.' Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12