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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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April 29, 2002 · Piper PA-28-140 · N6303W

Owasso, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 29, 2002
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Owasso, OK
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N6303W
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW02LA133

After departure from a local airport the pilot flew around the area so his passenger could take aerial photographs of a baseball field. Subsequently, the engine lost power and he initiated a forced landing to a golf course. The airplane impacted uneven terrain and trees coming to rest upright and was consumed by a postimpact fire. According to a witness at the airport that the pilot departed from, the airplane was observed taking off with "cowl plugs" still installed on the airplane. An on scene inspection by an FAA inspector who responded to the accident site, located the engine cowl plugs prior to the green.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power as a result of the pilot's failure to remove the engine cowling plugs during the preflight inspection. A contributing factor was lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On April 29, 2002, at 1630 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 single-engine airplane, N6303W, was destroyed when the airplane impacted the ground during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Owasso, Oklahoma. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The commercial pilot was seriously injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation photo flight. The local flight originated from the Gundys Airport, Owasso, at 1610. The 1,543-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that after departure from Gundys Airport, he flew around the area so his passenger could take aerial photographs of a baseball field. Subsequently, the engine lost power and he initiated a forced landing to a golf course. The pilot reported in an interview, with an FAA inspector who responded to the accident site, that when he was "committed" to land on the golf course, he noticed several berms on the fairway. The airplane impacted the top of a 6-foot tall berm sheering off the left main landing gear, and then became airborne. Approximately 129 feet after the initial impact, the airplane settled back onto the ground and bounced again striking the edge of the green and impacting trees. The airplane came to rest in the upright position and was consumed by a post-impact fire. According to a witness at the airport, the airplane was observed taking off with "cowl plugs" still installed on the airplane. An on scene inspection by an FAA inspector who responded to the accident site, located the engine cowl plugs prior to the green.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN6303W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 68 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data