# NTSB FTW00LA059: Piper PA-32-300, N8954N, Sweeney, TX, January 10, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 9, 2000, 18:45 local (Jan 10, 2000, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Sweeney, TX - Coordinates: 29.040485, -95.689018 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0405&lon=-95.6890&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48468 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48468/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA059 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive flare resulting in a hard landing. Factors were the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, the power lines on final approach and the dark night conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - flare - excessive, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane was in level cruise flight during dark night conditions when the 'engine stopped.' The instructor elected to make a forced landing to a field. On final approach, the instructor noticed what appeared to be power lines. The instructor banked the airplane to parallel the power lines and rotated the airplane to a nose high pitch attitude for touchdown. The touchdown was made on both main wheels; however, 'the nose of the aircraft came down hard,' and the airplane skidded to a stop. An FAA inspector supervised a 35-minute test run of the engine and found no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On January 9, 2000, at 1845 central standard time, a Piper PA-32-300 airplane, N8954N, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Sweeney, Texas. The airplane was registered to a private individual, and operated by Eagle Air Service, LTD. of Angleton, Texas. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight departed the Brazoria County Airport near Angleton, Texas, at 1830, and was destined for the Bay City Municipal Airport, Bay City, Texas. In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the flight instructor stated that the airplane was in cruise flight level at 1,500 feet msl when the "engine stopped." The instructor stated that his attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The instructor elected to make a forced landing to a field. Just before the airplane crossed a tree line at the end of the field, the instructor "noticed what appeared to be power lines crossing the field." The instructor banked the airplane to parallel the power lines. After clearing the tree line, the instructor rotated the airplane to a nose high pitch attitude for touchdown. According to the instructor, "touchdown was made with a nose high attitude, squarely on both main wheels." Upon touchdown, "the nose of the aircraft came down hard," and the airplane skidded to a stop. An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The inspector stated there was structural damage to the firewall. In addition, the nose landing gear was collapsed aft, and the propeller and engine cowling sustained damage. On March 2, 2000, an FAA inspector supervised a test run of the engine. The engine was run for 35 minutes at various power settings. No anomalies were noted during the engine test run. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8954N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8954N), registered now, S/N 32-40757, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-40757 - Airframe hours: 3654 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-KIAS 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Eagle Air Service, Ltd., doing business as Eagle Air Service - Registered owner: Mouin Sabbagh - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1999, 30 hours before - Departed: LBX, ANGLETON, TX - Destination: 3R1, BAY CITY, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 980 total, 48 in this make and model, 770 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 220° at 4 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LBX, 13 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 20000109003669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000109003669A), Jan 9, 2000: Piper PA32300, Sweeney, TX, Substantial damage. (.23) On 01/09/00 at 1830 CST, N8954N, Piper PA-32-300 was substantially damaged when it impacted the terrain during a forced landing due to loss of power. The… ## Other investigations on N8954N (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW72DPD36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72DPD36), Apr 6, 1972: Piper PA-32 (N8954N), Cross Plains, TX, substantial damage 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.