# NTSB FTW03LA198: Piper PA-28R-201T, N251BC, Alpine, TX, August 2, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 2003, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Alpine, TX - Coordinates: 30.384721, -103.683609 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3847&lon=-103.6836&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Lubbock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57737 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA198 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57737/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA198 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain available to the pilot 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 - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis According to the 549-hour pilot, the engine lost power without warning while flying at 10,500 feet, about 20 minutes after takeoff. The pilot elected to execute a forced landing on a dirt road. His initial rollout was successful, but approximately 120 feet from the touch down point, the right wing struck a yucca cactus plant. It continued down the dirt road and the left wing stuck a cactus plant, and the left main landing gear collapsed. An external examination of the engine, revealed a bulge and crack in the upper engine case near the #1 cylinder. The reason for the internal engine failure was not determined. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 2003, at 1115 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-201T single-engine airplane, N251BC, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Alpine, Texas. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. No flight plan was filed for the flight that originated Alpine-Casparis Municipal Airport (E38), Alpine, Texas, about 1045. Visual meteorological condition prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The 162-nautical mile cross-country flight originated from the Alpine-Casparis Airport at1045, with El Paso (ELP) as its planned destination. The 549-hour pilot reported to the NTSB Investigator-In-Charge that while in cruise flight at 10,500 feet, approximately 20 minutes after take off, the engine began to lose power, which was followed by a "loud bang" that appeared to be coming from the engine compartment. The pilot attempted to get emergency calls out, but was unable to raised anyone. The pilot elected to execute a forced landing to a narrow dirt road. The landing touchdown was successful; however, during the landing rollout the right wing struck a yucca cactus plant approximately 120 feet from touchdown point, which damaged the leading edge of the wing. A few seconds later, the left wing struck another cactus plant, and collapsed the left main landing gear. The most recent annual inspection and 100-hour inspection was completed on December 11, 2002, at a total time of 2,835 hours. The airplane had 72 gallons of 100LL fuel on board at the time of departure from E38. At 1305, the Alpine-Casparis Municipal Airport (E38), near Alpine, Texas, was reporting winds from 200 degrees at 6 knots, temperature 93 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.09 inches Hg. The visibility was 10 statute miles and the sky was clear. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, conducted an on-site examination of the Continental TSIO-360F 4-cylinder engine (S/N: 305618). His examination revealed a bulge and crack in the upper engine case near the #1 cylinder. The reason for the internal failure of the engine was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N251BC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N251BC), registered now, S/N 28R-7803174 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-201T - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7803174 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360-F 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Harry Kraft - Registered owner: Margaret J. Townsend-Kraft - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 11, 2002, 48 hours before - Departed: E38, Alpine, TX - Destination: ELP, El Paso, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 20, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 549 total, 77 in this make and model, 436 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: E38 ## 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 20030802021059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030802021059A), Aug 2, 2003: Piper PA28R201T, Alpine, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 2, 2003, at approximately 1115 CDT, Piper N251BC made a forced landing approximately 45 miles west of Alpine Texas. The flight, which… 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.