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August 20, 1987 · Piper PA-28-181 · N6895J

Bridgeport, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 20, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Bridgeport, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N6895J
Operator
B P Aero Club
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW87LA202

THE ENGINE QUIT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 5500 FEET MSL BUT RESTARTED WHEN THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS. HE THEN HEADED FOR THE NEAREST AIRPORT WHICH WAS AT BRIDGEPORT, TX. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING THE ENGINE STOPPED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A HAY FIELD ABOUT A HALF MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A LARGE BALE OF HAY DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE. THE PILOT HAD OVERFLOWN HIS PLANNED ENROUTE REFUELING POINT DUE TO KNOWN AIRCRAFT STARTER PROBLEMS AND RELIANCE ON THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL GAUGE READINGS WHEN HE REACHED THE PLANNED REFUELING POINT.

Full Narrative

THE ENGINE QUIT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 5500 FEET MSL BUT RESTARTED WHEN THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS. HE THEN HEADED FOR THE NEAREST AIRPORT WHICH WAS AT BRIDGEPORT, TX. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING THE ENGINE STOPPED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A HAY FIELD ABOUT A HALF MILE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A LARGE BALE OF HAY DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE. THE PILOT HAD OVERFLOWN HIS PLANNED ENROUTE REFUELING POINT DUE TO KNOWN AIRCRAFT STARTER PROBLEMS AND RELIANCE ON THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL GAUGE READINGS WHEN HE REACHED THE PLANNED REFUELING POINT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:20 CDT
Nearest Airport1nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN6895J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorB P Aero Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data