# NTSB FTW02LA244: Piper PA-28-140, N3961K, Price, TX, August 31, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 2002, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Price, TX - Coordinates: 32.140834, -94.982223 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1408&lon=-94.9822&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 15, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Avitation Administration (FSDO) - NTSB case key (mKey): 55601 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55601/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA244 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing. ## 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 (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The pilot retarded the throttle and initiated a descent to deviate around a cloud. Once clear of the cloud, the pilot advanced the throttle and initiated a climb back to the cruise altitude; however, power did not develop and gradually decreased. Engine power continued to decrease and the pilot was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot attempted to restart the engine; however, was unsuccessful. He executed a forced landing to a field. The temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of serious induction icing at a glide power setting. According to an FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, the left wing fuel tank contained 12 gallons of fuel and the right wing fuel tank was compromised during the impact. The cockpit fuel selector placard was mounted upside-down; therefore, provided an incorrect reading to the pilot. The cockpit fuel selector was found in the OFF position; however, the placard that was installed at the time of the accident would have indicated that the selected fuel tank was the LEFT tank. The pilot did not recall the position of the cockpit fuel selector at the time of the loss of engine power. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On August 31, 2002, approximately 1730 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 single-engine airplane, N3961K, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Price, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. 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 cross-country flight originated from the Canton-Hackney Airport, Canton, Texas, approximately 1700, and was destined for the Gregg County Airport, Longview, Texas. According to the pilot, the airplane was in cruise flight, approximately 2,500 feet, when he retarded the throttle and initiated a descent to deviate around a cloud. Once clear of the cloud, the pilot advanced the throttle and initiated a climb back to the cruise altitude; however, power did not develop and gradually decreased. He increased the throttle to obtain full power; however, the maximum attained rpm was 1400-1500, and the engine power continued to decrease. The pilot attempted to restart the engine; however, was unsuccessful and initiated a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the propeller blades were bent, the right wing separated at the wing root, the nose landing gear and right main landing gear separated, and the fuselage was wrinkled. The pilot did not recall the position of the cockpit fuel selector at the time of the loss of engine power. The temperature and dew point were plotted on a carburetor icing probability chart for light aircraft. The results revealed that the conditions were favorable for the formation of serious induction icing at a glide power setting. According to an FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, the left wing fuel tank contained 12 gallons of fuel and the right wing fuel tank was compromised during the impact. The cockpit fuel selector placard was mounted upside-down; therefore it provided an incorrect reading to the pilot. The cockpit fuel selector was found in the OFF position; however, the placard that was installed at the time of the accident would have indicated that the selected fuel tank was the LEFT tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3961K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3961K-2018-01-19), registration cancelled 2018-01-19, S/N 28-23841, built 1967 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-23841 - Airframe hours: 4400 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-L2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Veldon C. Ross - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2001, 180 hours before - Departed: 7F5, Canton, TX - Destination: GGG, Longview, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 29, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 430 total, 225 in this make and model, 390 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: GGG, 20 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 20020831028909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020831028909A), Aug 31, 2002: Piper PA28140, Price, TX, Destroyed. (-23) On August 31, 2002 @ 1600 CDT, a Piper PA-28-140, N3961K, during a flight from canton, Texas to the gregg county airport in longview, Texas, experienced… 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.