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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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January 26, 2011 · Piper PA-28-235 · N9478W

Matador, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 26, 2011
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Matador, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-235
Tail Number
N9478W
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN11LA161

The pilot stated that while the airplane was climbing through approximately 700 feet above the ground the engine lost all power. He decided to land the airplane in a small clearing, but was unable to reach the area and landed in mesquite brush. During the landing, the left wing sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the airplane did not discover any abnormalities that would have contributed to the loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine (reciprocating)-(general)-Inoperative - C

Full Narrative

On January 26, 2011, about 1510 Central Standard Time, a Piper PA-28-235, N9478W, sustained substantial damage following a forced landing in a field near Matador, Texas. The airplane was registered to N223BT LLC, Ballinger, Texas, and operated by the pilot. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. There were no injuries to the pilot or single passenger. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident, and was en route to Ballinger, Texas. The pilot reported that he had just departed from a small private airstrip south of Matador. Approximately 700 feet above ground level, he initiated a right turn to avoid some towers north of the airstrip. While in the right turn, the engine lost total power. The pilot decided to land in a small clearing, but was unable to reach the area, and the airplane landed in an area of mesquite brush. During the landing, the left main gear and nose wheel separated from the airplane, and the left wing contacted the ground, sustaining substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the airplane by an NTSB investigator failed to identify any abnormalities that would have contributed to the loss of engine power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:10 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-235
Tail NumberN9478W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 SERIES · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 67 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 11 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 28 C
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data