# NTSB CEN09LA055: Piper PA-28-140, N8485R, Nacogdoches, TX, November 8, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 2008, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Nacogdoches, TX
- Coordinates: 31.629516, -94.739624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6295&lon=-94.7396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 24, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69431/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA055

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 47 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

After an hour of conducting flight maneuvers, the pilot and flight instructor proceeded to do a power-off landing. During the take-off from the runway, the engine lost partial power, and when it appeared that they would not be able to clear trees, they elected to conduct a forced landing. An inspection of the airplane, revealed that during the forced landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. After the aircraft was recovered to a hangar an examination/engine run was conducted. During the engine run, the magneto check was "good"; however, when the carburetor heat control was pulled, the engine started to run rough and lose power. The reason for the loss of engine power was not identified.

## Factual narrative

On November 8, 2008, approximately 1000 central daylight time, a single-engine, Piper 140 airplane, N8485R, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power, shortly after takeoff from the AL Mangham Jr. Regional Airport (KOCH), Nacogdoches, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and flight instructor were not injured. The airplane was registered and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, flight. According to the flight instructor and airline transport pilot, they were performing a flight review. After about an hour of conducting several flight maneuvers, they proceeded to do a power-off landing. During the take-off from runway 18, the engine lost partial power and when it appeared that they would not be able to clear trees, they elected to conduct a forced landing. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, who examined the airplane, reported that during the forced landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The aircraft was recovered to a hangar. The flight instructor and FAA Inspector inspected the throttle and mixture controls before deciding to run the airplane's engine. The engine was started and allowed to warm briefly, before conducting a magneto check at 2,000-rpm. The magneto check was "good"; however, when the carburetor heat control was pulled, the engine started to run rough and not able to maintain 2,000-rpm. The reason for the loss of engine power was not identified.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8485R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8485R-2014-09-16), registration cancelled 2014-09-16, S/N 28-22395, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-22395
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 2008
- Departed: Nacogdoches, TX
- Destination: Nacogdoches, TX
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: KOCH, AL Mangham Jr Regional Airport, runway 18, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 51; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 2,320 total, 120 in this make and model, 65 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 10, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 2,955 total, 75 in this make and model, 2,639 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observed at: KOCH

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20081108852389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081108852389A), Nov 8, 2008: Piper PA28140, Nacogdoches, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On 11/08/2008, N8485R, PA-28-140, had an emergency landing. The pilot in command stated that after a period of airwork, they conducted a touch and go to…

## Other investigations on N8485R (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 OAK69D0116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK69D0116), Sep 10, 1968: Piper PA-28 (N8485R), Battle Mtn., NV, substantial damage

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.

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