NTSB Factual Report

On September 3, 2004, approximately 1154 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22 single-engine airplane, N2972P, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a loss of control during takeoff from the Goebel Field Airport (4TS5) near Mountain Home, Texas. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Llano Municipal Airport (AQO) near Llano, Texas, at 1044 and was destined for 4TS5.

The 245-hour private pilot reported in a written statement to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that after briefing his passenger, he decided to perform a touch-and-go landing on Runway 14 (a 2,200-foot long and 60-foot wide turf runway). The pilot stated that he flew a stabilized approach with full flaps, and the airplane touched down slightly beyond the displaced threshold. During the landing roll, he applied full throttle and retained the full flaps for takeoff. The airplane lifted off the ground at an airspeed of approximately 65 miles per hour (mph) and a climb at a rate of approximately 200 feet per minute. The pilot maintained back pressure on the yoke until the treetops on his side were cleared at an altitude of approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot added that he noticed airspeed beginning to decay. In response, he released back pressure on the yoke.

The airplane continued to descend in a nose-high attitude until it impacted terrain. Upon impact with terrain, the nose gear collapsed, and the propeller struck the ground. Subsequently, the aircraft nosed over, slid 50 yards inverted and came to rest in the inverted position.

Examination of the aircraft by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the site of the accident, revealed structural damage to the vertical stabilizer, left wing, left wing support struts. There was additional minor damage to the propeller, right wing, and nose gear. No pre-impact anomalies were observed at the time of the examination.

At 1151, the automated weather observing system at Kimble County Airport, near Junction, Texas, located approximately 22 nautical miles northwest of the site of the accident, reported wind variable at 6 knots, visibility 9 statute miles, few clouds at 3,400 feet agl, temperature 79 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 63 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.02 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall.