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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

December 11, 1993 · Piper PA-28-180 · N8835J

Fort Worth, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 11, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-180
Tail Number
N8835J
Operator
Fort Worth Flyers
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW94LA047

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKE OFF, THE AIRCRAFT LOST ENGINE POWER. WITNESSES ON THE GROUND REPORTED THE ENGINE QUIT AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET. THEY ALSO REPORTED SEEING BLACK SMOKE BEING EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE PILOT LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD ON THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY. DUE TO THE LACK OF REMAINING RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE RAN THROUGH A FENCE LINE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND AN ENGINE TEST RUN FAILED TO REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

Full Narrative

On December 11, 1993, at 1757 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N8835J, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Fort Worth, Texas. The commercial pilot and his three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan was filed. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Report form that he experienced a loss of engine power during the initial takeoff climb, approximately 50 to 75 feet above the ground. He landed straight ahead on the runway and applied full brakes. However, the aircraft overran the departure end of the runway, proceeded through a fence, and struck a fence post prior to coming to rest. A witness on the ground stated that when the aircraft was "at an approximate altitude of 75 to 100 feet, the engine quit abruptly." He further stated that "there was a slight backfire" at the same moment. "The only other sound from the engine was a little burst of power when the pilot lowered the nose of the aircraft." Two airframe and powerplant mechanics who performed an engine run stated that "no abnormal signs were detected."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:57 CST
Nearest AirportHicks Airfield (0nm)
Runway14
Runway Length3740 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-180
Tail NumberN8835J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFort Worth Flyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A3A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data