Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees.
NTSB analysis
Local law enforcement reported that several witnesses observed an airplane, matching the description of the accident airplane, flying low over homes and automobiles on the afternoon of the accident. Later, the wreckage was discovered just west of the airport property. The airplane had impacted trees and came to rest inverted. The empennage was bent and twisted 180 degrees beneath the fuselage and wings. An examination of the airplane and its systems revealed no mechanical anomalies.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA217 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 7, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lockhart, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Lockhart Municipal Airport (50R)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-22-108
- N-number
- N4571Z
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.