# NTSB CEN10CA359: Piper PA28R, N4627J, McGregor, TX, June 29, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 29, 2010, 10:42 local (15:42 UTC) - Place: McGregor, TX - Coordinates: 31.484167, -97.309722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4842&lon=-97.3097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-circling (IFR): Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Fort Worth FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76479 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA359 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76479/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76479 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA359 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the severity of injuries was the airplane's lack of shoulder harnesses. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Equipment/furnishings](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022500): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022500/cases.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-circling (IFR): Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Approach-circling (IFR): Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md?model=7102809), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and private pilot were completing a circle-to-land maneuver on an instrument approach after breaking out of overcast clouds at approximately 1,300 feet above ground level (AGL). While on the circle-to-land downwind leg, at approximately 1,100 feet AGL, the pilot turned on the electric boost pump, switched the fuel tank selector valve from the right to left tank, and observed positive fuel pressure. The engine then began to sputter and the flight instructor went to full power with the throttle and switched back to the right tank. The engine sounded like it might rev up but then quit completely. The flight instructor took control and executed an engine-out forced landing on airport property short of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the spars of both wings and all three landing gear. Both pilots received minor injuries during the impact sequences, and both were able to exit the airplane unassisted. Both pilots reported that there was adequate fuel in both tanks. An examination of the airplane's engine and other systems showed no anomalies. The facility that refueled the airplane before the flight reported that postaccident fuel quality checks of the tank farm and the refueler were nominal. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses. Because of the airplane’s year of manufacture shoulder harness installation was not required. The flight instructor said the injuries to his face would have been lessened if he had been wearing a shoulder harness. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor and private pilot were completing a circle to land maneuver on an instrument approach after breaking out of overcast clouds at approximately 1,300 feet above ground level (AGL). While on the circle to land downwind leg at approximately 1,100 feet AGL the pilot turned on the electric boost pump, switched the fuel tank selector valve from the right to left tank, and observed positive fuel pressure. The engine then began to sputter and the flight instructor went to full power with the throttle and switched back to the right tank. The engine sounded like it might rev up but then quit completely. The flight instructor took control and executed an engine out forced landing on airport property short of the runway. There was substantial damage to the spars of both wings and all three landing gear. Both pilots received minor injuries during the impact sequences, and both were able to exit the airplane unassisted. Both pilots reported that there was adequate fuel in both tanks. An examination of the airplane's engine and other systems showed no anomalies. The facility that refueled the airplane before the flight reported that post accident fuel quality checks of the tank farm and the refueler were nominal. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses. Because of the airplane’s year of manufacture shoulder harness installation was not required. The flight instructor said the injuries to his face would have been lessened if he had been wearing a shoulder harness. Both pilots said their injuries would have been much worse if they had hit the ground harder than they did. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4627J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4627J-2016-12-13), registration cancelled 2016-12-13, S/N 28R-30514 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28R (180) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-30514 - Airframe hours: 5807 - Engines: LYCOMING IO360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Aurora Aviation, LLC - Registered owner: Chiota Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 2010 - Departed: PWG, McGregor, TX - Destination: PWG, McGregor, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PWG, Mc Gregor Executive Airport, runway 35, 5,501 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 23; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 29, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 962 total, 49 in this make and model, 749 as pilot in command, 163 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 26; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 31, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 158 total, 2 in this make and model, 72 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: PWG, 12 nm away ## 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 20100629037049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100629037049A), Jun 29, 2010: Piper PA-28R-180, Mcgregor, TX, Substantial damage. On June 29, 2010, at 0935 local time, a Piper arrow (PA28) aircraft, N4627J, owned by [privacy data omitted], experience momentary fuel starvation and… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 16, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76479. 684 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 684 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334546&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.