Pilot Debrief

Piper PA-28R-200 near Springtown, TX — 2019-10-13

Final reportCEN20LA016
Sign in to save
Date
2019-10-13
Location
Springtown, TX, USA
Airport
61TE
Aircraft
Piper PA-28R-200
Registration
N75139
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot/mechanic stated that he was asked to look at an airplane that had been involved in a loss of engine power event and forced landing the day before. His intention was to fly the airplane back to the flight school if it was safe to do so. He determined that the left fuel tank was empty, and the right fuel tank was full. He performed a pre-flight inspection and an extended run-up with no anomalies noted. The takeoff and initial climb were normal, and he circled the airport while climbing to cruise altitude before proceeding to the destination. About 10 miles north of the departure airport, the engine "suddenly" lost power with no prior indication of a problem. The airplane did not have sufficient altitude to return to the airport, and the pilot performed a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted a steel fence gate. A postrecovery engine run did not reveal any anomalies consistent with an inability to produce rated power, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels more thoroughly before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

Related mishaps