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NTSB Report

November 10, 2000 · Piper PA-28R-200 · N2068T

Laporte, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 10, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Laporte, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Tail Number
N2068T
Operator
Harvey & Rihn Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW01LA019

After a normal preflight and run-up of the single engine airplane with 4 occupants, the pilot commenced take off for the bright night VMC local flight. Initial rotation was uneventful, and a positive rate of climb was established. As the gear retracted, the engine decreased its power output, and the pilot could not maintain level flight. Upon realizing that obstacles at the departure end of the runway were not going to be cleared, the pilot turned to the left as the aircraft continued its descent. Prior to touchdown in a grassy area, the pilot 'pulled power' and lowered the landing gear. Just after touchdown, the right wing struck a guy wire, tearing the wing from the fuselage. The aircraft then struck a fence post adjacent to a building. The airplane was within its certified maximum gross weight at take off. No pre-existing engine anomalies were found after the accident, and usable fuel was present.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were the bright night light condition, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On November 10, 2000, approximately 0130 central standard time, a Piper PA-28R, single engine airplane, N2068T, registered to DE Aviation of Laporte, Texas, and operated by Harvey and Rihn Aviation of Laporte, Texas, was substantially damaged after colliding with a non-directional beacon (NDB) antenna and a fence during a forced landing after take off from runway 30 at the Laporte Municipal Airport, Laporte, Texas. The private pilot and his 3 passengers were not injured. Bright night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he and his 3 passengers intended to make a scenic night flight around the local area. After a normal preflight and run-up, the pilot taxied onto Runway 30 and commenced take off. The initial rotation to flight "seemed uneventful" as the pilot raised the landing gear, and a "positive rate of climb was established." As the "gear went into transition" [retracted], the "engine seemed to put out an immediate decrease in power." The pilot then "quickly" lowered the nose to maintain airspeed. The airspeed did not increase and the attitude was level, so the pilot "let the nose pitch down to maintain controllable flight." Upon realizing that obstacles at the departure end of the runway were not going to be cleared, the pilot turned to the left as the aircraft continued to "sink toward the ground." Prior to touchdown in a grassy area, the pilot "pulled power" and lowered the landing gear. Just after touchdown, the right wing struck an NDB antenna support wire [guy wire], tearing the wing from the fuselage. The aircraft then struck a fence post adjacent to the NDB building. The certified maximum gross weight of the airplane was 2,600 lbs. The pilot, who weighs 190 lbs., reported the weights of his passengers to be 140, 160, and 160 lbs., respectively. The fuel load was 45 gallons, approximately 270 lbs. According to operator's records, the empty weight of N2068T was 1583.5 lbs., which made its useful load 1016.5 lbs. Utilizing the weight information provided by the pilot, the combined load at the time of takeoff was estimated at 956 lbs., thus making the gross weight at take off approximately 2503.5 lbs. Visual examination of the aircraft by an FAA Inspector and the operator did not discover any pre-existing anomalies. Usable fuel was present. Damage to the engine precluded a post-accident test run.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:30 CST
Nearest AirportLaporte Municipal (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length4200 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28R-200
Tail NumberN2068T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHarvey & Rihn Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-C1C · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 20 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data