# NTSB DFW06CA022: Piper PA38, N2593P, Decatur, TX, November 6, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 6, 2005, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Decatur, TX - Coordinates: 33.254444, -97.580558 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2544&lon=-97.5806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 62781 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62781/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA022 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. 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, climb - to cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The engine started to run rough about a minute after takeoff. The 475-hour student pilot reported a 500 RPM drop. The pilot applied carburetor heat and switched fuel tanks, but neither resulted in an increase in engine power. The pilot leveled-off at approximately 600 feet above the ground. About 3 or 4 minutes into the flight, a severe engine vibration developed and the pilot elected to shut-down the engine and attempted to land in a pasture approximately two miles from the airport. During the landing roll the airplane impacted a fence resulting in structural damage to the wings and additional damage to the propeller. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector that traveled to the accident site noted the airplane's engine chip detector light was illuminated and that the propeller was hard to pull through. The reason for the loss or engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative The engine started to run rough about a minute after takeoff. The 475-hour unrated pilot reported a 500 RPM drop. The pilot applied carburetor heat and switched fuel tanks, but neither resulted in an increase in engine power. The pilot leveled-off at approximately 600 feet above the ground. About 3 or 4 minutes into the flight, a severe engine vibration developed and the pilot elected to shut-down the engine down and attempt to land in a pasture approximately two miles from the airport. During the landing roll the airplane impacted a fence resulting in structural damage to the wings and additional damage to the propeller. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector that traveled to the accident site noted the airplane's engine chip detector light was illuminated and that the propeller was hard to pull through. The reason for the loss or engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2593P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2593P-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 38-79A0866, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA38 - Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 38-79A0866 - Airframe hours: 8222 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Andy Stapp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2005, 110 hours before - Departed: LUD, Decatur, TX - Destination: PVW, Plainview, TX - Airport: LUD, Decatur Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3; seat: right; flight hours: 475 total, 225 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: LUD, 2 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 20051106027029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051106027029A), Nov 6, 2005: Piper PA38112, Decatur, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) At approximately 1615 local time, the student pilot, and passenger, departed Decatur Municipal Airport (8F7) on runway 35, with an intended destination… 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.