# NTSB CHI03LA200: Piper PA-38-112, N569RA, Fort Smith, AR, July 7, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 2003, 17:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Fort Smith, AR - Coordinates: 35.336387, -94.3675 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3364&lon=-94.3675&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57439 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA200 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57439/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA200 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during the climb out. A factor was the ditch encountered during the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a reported in-flight loss of engine power during initial climb. The pilot reported that the engine stopped with no noticeable loss of power before it stopped during the climb out. The airplane nosed into a ditch during the forced landing. An examination revealed that both fuel tanks were full. Both magnetos produced a spark when rotated. Engine continuity was established. No anomalies were detected. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 2003, at 1745 central daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N569RA, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a reported in-flight loss of engine power, during initial climb from runway 25 (8,000 feet by 150 feet, asphalt) at Fort Smith Regional Airport, Fort Smith, Arkansas. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported minor injuries. The local personal flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported: 1. Normal run up 2. Cleared for takeoff 3. Took off reached [approximately] 400 [feet above ground level] runway 25 4. Engine stopped no noticeable loss of power before engine stopped 5. Told tower aborting takeoff 6. Landed plane in field 7. Slid 300-350 ft swerved to miss berm 8. Nosed into ditch 9. Exited aircraft 10. Walked from aircraft and waited for help A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector examined the wreckage. He stated that both fuel tanks were full. Both magnetos produced a spark when they were rotated. Engine continuity was established. He reported that no anomalies were detected. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N569RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N569RA-2018-08-24), registration cancelled 2018-08-24, S/N 38-78A0350 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-38-112 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-78A0350 - Airframe hours: 8865 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James Melvin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 2002 - Departed: FSM, Fort Smith, AK - Destination: FSM, Fort Smith, AR - Airport: FSM, Fort Smith Regional, runway 25, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 2, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 237 total, 235 in this make and model, 182 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: FSM, 1 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 20030707018839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030707018839A), Jul 7, 2003: Piper PA38112, Fort Smith, AR, Destroyed. (-23) Pleasure flight, engine failed on take-off from runway 25 and crashed at Fort Smith, Arkansas July 7, 1753 CST. Aircraft climbed to 300 feet when the… 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.