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March 2, 2004 · Piper PA-38-112 · N2588A

Sugar Land, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 2, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Sugar Land, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-38-112
Tail Number
N2588A
Operator
King Flight Service
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW04LA087

While en route to his destination, the 170-hour non-instrument rated private pilot encountered adverse weather conditions and elected to perform a precautionary landing in an open field. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with a barbed-wire fence, nosed over, and came to rest in the inverted position. The pilot had not obtained a weather briefing; however, he had obtained some weather information on the internet from DUATS.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper weather evaluation, and his encounter with adverse weather conditions. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the precautionary landing.

Full Narrative

On March 2, 2004, approximately 1730 central standard time, a Piper PA-38-112 single-engine airplane, N2588A, was substantially damaged when it impacted a barbed-wire fence following a precautionary landing near Sugar Land, Texas. The passenger received minor injuries and the private pilot was not injured. The aircraft was owned by King Interests Inc., of Pearland, Texas, and operated by King Flight Service of Pearland, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The aircraft departed Victoria Regional Airport (VCT), near Victoria, Texas, at 1600, with a destination of Pearland Regional Airport (LVJ), near Houston, Texas. No flight plan was filed for the flight. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 170-hour pilot reported that he did not receive a weather briefieng for the flight; however, he did obtain some weather data from the internet on DUATS. The pilot added that while en route, the weather deteriorated and he elected to divert to Houston Southwest Airport (AXH), near Houston, Texas. The pilot added that the weather continued to deteriorate, and he was forced to attempt a precautionary landing in a field. During the landing roll, the aircraft struck a barbed-wire fence and came to rest in the inverted position. Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed structural damage to the right wing spar, the horizontal stabilizer, and fuselage. The automated surface observing system at Houston Southwest Airport (SGR) at 1753 reported the winds at 130 degrees at 11 knots, 7 statute miles visibility, overcast at 1,100 feet msl, temperature 22 degrees Celsius, dew point 20 degrees Celsius, and a barometric pressure reading of 29.99 inches of Mercury. The automated surface observing system at Victoria Regional Airport (VCT) at 1751 reported the winds at 140 at 10 knots, 9 statute miles visibility, broken at 1,300 feet msl, temperature 22 degrees Celsius, dew point 21 degrees Celsius, and a barometric pressure reading of 29.96 inches of Mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CST
Nearest AirportHouston Southwest Airport (6nm S)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-38-112
Tail NumberN2588A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKing Flight Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 27 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 37 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 11 kt
CeilingOvercast 1100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data