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NTSB Report

January 16, 1988 · Piper PA-28-235 · N8737W

Littlefield, TX

Overview

Report Status

Preliminary report

Event Type

Accident

Date

January 16, 1988

Injury Outcomes

No injuries (2 uninjured)

Location

Littlefield, TX

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-235

Tail Number

N8737W

Injuries

None

Aircraft Damage

Substantial

NTSB Number

FTW88LA049

THE CONNECTING ROD CAP ATTACHING BOLT FAILED IN FLIGHT WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STOP. THE PILOT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH AT THE TIME BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE RUNWAY. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FARM FIELD SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. UPON TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH WHICH CAUSED LANDING GEAR FAILURE AND DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING.

Full Narrative

THE CONNECTING ROD CAP ATTACHING BOLT FAILED IN FLIGHT WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STOP. THE PILOT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH AT THE TIME BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE RUNWAY. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FARM FIELD SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. UPON TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH WHICH CAUSED LANDING GEAR FAILURE AND DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time11:25 CST

Nearest AirportLittlefield Municipal (25nm N)

Runway19

Runway Length4000 ft

Runway Width60 ft

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireIflt

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-235

Tail NumberN8737W

Aircraft CategoryAir

DamageSubstantial

Operating RulePart 91

Engines1

Engine TypeReciprocating

Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-B4B5 · Reciprocating · 235

Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)

Fatal0

Serious0

Minor0

Uninjured2

Total2

Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDaylight

WindCalm

Visibility20 sm

CeilingNone

Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C

Altimeter0

Weather SourcePILO

500 – Data service is offline

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January 16, 1988 · Piper PA-28-235 · N8737W

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