# Accident 20150511007609A: Piper PA-28-161, Ranger, TX, May 11, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 11, 2015, 22:42 local time
- Place: Ranger, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.4294° N, 98.6239° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4294&lon=-98.6239&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3024S, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3024S-2016-08-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-161 (registry code 7102803, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 415 total, 390 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN15LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA228) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150511007609A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT NIGHT THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE MADE 2 LOUD BANGS AND THE PROPELLER STOPPED.  AN ENGINE RESTART WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE PILOT COMPLETED AN EMERGENCY NIGHT LANDING.  DURING THE NIGHT, POWER OFF LANDING, THE LEFT WING AND LANDING GEAR WERE TORN OFF BY A COLLISION WITH A TREE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN15LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA228), May 12, 2015: Piper PA 28-161 (N3024S), Ranger, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to piston fatigue cracking for reasons that could not be determined due to postfracture smearing damage.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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