# NTSB DFW05LA183: Piper PA-28R-200, N33720, Pollock, LA, July 16, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 2005, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Pollock, LA - Coordinates: 31.477222, -92.461112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4772&lon=-92.4611&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62009 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05LA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62009/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA183 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to a loose engine lubrication system component in the crankcase. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - lubricating system,oil port/passage,internal - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - pole ## Analysis While in cruise flight, the engine sustained a total loss of engine power. The 4,095-hour private pilot initiated a forced landing to a trunk pipeline. The airplane impacted uneven terrain and came to rest in an upright position. Examination of the engine revealed that the number three cylinder had no compression, the number three piston apron and all eight hydraulic tappet bodies were heavily damaged. It was also noted that the piston cooling nozzle assembly was found disconnected and in the oil sump along with numerous metal fragments. The threaded portions of the piston cooling nozzle assembly and its crankcase receptacle were not damaged. ## Factual narrative On July 16, 2005, approximately 0930 central daylight time, a single-engine Piper PA-28R-200 airplane, N33720, registered and operated by LJS Aviation Enterprises LLC of Lombard, Illinois, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near the Pollock Municipal Airport (L66) near Pollock, Louisiana. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The 497-nautical mile cross-country flight departed from the Hillsboro Municipal Airport (INJ), near Hillsboro, Texas, approximately 0800, destined for the Atmore Municipal Airport (OR1), near Atmore, Alabama The 4,095-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that, after about an hour into the flight, he switched the fuel tank selector valve to the left tank and then, "burn[ed] that tank for about 35 minutes." The pilot climbed to 4,500 feet, when "the engine began to run rough for about 5 [to] 10 seconds and lost power." The pilot also stated, "it felt like a fuel tank had been run dry, but only 5 gallons had been burned from 24 usable." The pilot then stated, that "the fuel pressure was good" and thus decided to switch the fuel selector valve back to the right fuel tank. An in-flight restart was unsuccessful. The pilot prepared for an emergency landing at L66. After realizing he was not going to make it to the airport, the pilot elected to land in a rutted "trunk pipe line," approximately three miles north of L66. The airplane came to rest in an upright position. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed the stabilator was damaged, the nose gear and main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing was torn approximately 18-inches by an 8-foot tall by 4-inche in diameter metal pole. The airplane was recovered to the facilities of Dawson Aircraft, Inc., near Clinton, Arkansas, for further examination. During the recovery process, the recovery crew noted that approximately 12 gallons of fuel was drained from the left wing fuel tank, and approximately eight gallons of fuel was drained from the right wing fuel tank. The fuel removed from the airplane was found to be free of contamination. Examination of the Lycoming O-360-CIC engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector and an airframe and powerplant mechanic was conducted on August 24, 2005, at the facilities of Dawson Aircraft, Inc. The FAA inspector noted that while attempting to establish engine continuity, the number three cylinder had no compression and appeared to be seized. The number three cylinder was removed and the inspector noted that the piston cooling nozzle assembly was missing. It was also noted that the number three piston apron and all eight hydraulic tappet bodies were heavily damaged. The piston cooling nozzle assembly was later found in three pieces in the oil sump, along with numerous metal fragments. The threaded portions of the piston cooling nozzle assembly and its crankcase receptacle were not damaged. At 0939, the automated surface observing system at the Alexandria International Airport (AEX), near Alexandria, Louisiana, located approximately 7 miles north east of the accident site reported calm wind, visibility of 10 statute miles, overcast cloud layer at 1,000 feet, temperature 81 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 73 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.06 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33720](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33720), registered now, S/N 28R-7535182 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7535182 - Airframe hours: 3741.9 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: LJS Aviation Enterprises LLC, doing business as LJS Aviation Enterprises LLC - Registered owner: LJS Aviation Enterprises LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2004, 84 hours before - Departed: KINJ, Hillsboro, TX - Destination: K0R1, Atmore, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 4,096 total, 609 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KAEX, 7 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 20050716034029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050716034029A), Jul 16, 2005: Piper PA28R200, Pollock, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) In cruise flight aircraft lost power, pilot made forced landing in field. 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.