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NTSB Report
April 8, 1993 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N4439T
Midlothian, TX
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 8, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Midlothian, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N4439T
Operator
Williams Kenneth W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW93LA120
DURING CLIMBOUT THE ENGINE COWLING LATCH FAILED, AND THE COWLING OPENED COMING TO REST AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. THE COWLING BLOCKED THE PILOT'S FORWARD VIEW, AND ACTED AS A FLAT PLATE CAUSING DRAG THAT COULD NOT BE OVERCOME WITH FULL POWER. THE MAX AIRSPEED THAT COULD BE GAINED WITH A FULL POWER WAS NO MORE THAN 70 KTS, AND THE SINK RATE DEVELOPED TO APRX 1,000 FPM. THE PILOT COULD NOT MAKE THE DESIRED RUNWAY AND LANDED IN AN ADJACENT FIELD COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR. THE LEFT FRONT LATCH HAD FAILED; THE RIGHT FRONT LATCH SUBSEQUENTLY CAME OPEN.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE ENGINE COWLING LATCH RESULTING IN DETERIORATING AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE AND A FORCED LANDING.
Full Narrative
On April 8, 1993, at 1610 central daylight time (CDT) a Piper PA-28R-200, N4439T, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at the Midlothian Airport, Midlothian, Texas. The private pilot, also the owner, was not injured during the visual flight rules flight. The flight originated at Midlothian and its destination was Alexandria, Louisiana. During an interview conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot stated that during his initial climb after takeoff the nose cowling came loose and rotated upwards. After it came loose, the cowling lodged against the windshield, blocking the pilot's visibility and creating a high drag load. He added that the increased drag prevented the pilot from reaching his intended landing site, the departure airport. The pilot reported that he landed hard.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:10 CDT
Nearest AirportMidlothian (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN4439T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliams Kenneth W
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-366-CIC · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 17 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:51
Weather SourceWFAC