# NTSB DEN88LA210: Piper PA-28-140, N3621K, Kerrville, TX, September 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1988, 14:38 local (19:38 UTC)
- Place: Kerrville, TX
- Coordinates: 30.15945, -99.350456 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1594&lon=-99.3505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17545
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17545/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA210

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - exhaust system,muffler - cracked (cause)
  - powerplant - failure,partial (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PLT WAS 6 MILES FROM HIS RANCH AND NOTED SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT, ACCOMPANIED BY A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE. HE TURNED BACK TO THE RANCH FOR A FORCED LANDING. HE OVERFLEW THE LANDING AREA, DECIDED HE WAS TOO HIGH FOR LANDING AND TURNED FOR ANOTHER APPROACH. ENGINE PERFORMANCE WAS DETERIORATING, AND THE SECOND APPROACH WAS TOO LOW. THE PLT STALLED THE ACFT JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT WITH A TREE ON THE APPROACH PATH. THE ACFT CAME TO REST 20 YARDS SHORT OF THE LANDING STRIP. THE PLT SAW FLAMES FROM THE ENGINE AREA AND EXITED THE PLANE. HE ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH DIRT, TO NO AVAIL. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION BY AN FAA INVESTIGATOR REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE EXHAUST MUFFLER HAD SPLIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3621K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3621K-1990-02-13), registration cancelled 1990-02-13, S/N 2823657 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23657
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hugo D. Mcbee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SSF, SAN ANTONIO, TX
- Destination: SSF

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: expired; seat: left; flight hours: 695 total, 610 in this make and model, 695 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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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