# NTSB FTW03LA232: Piper PA-28-151, N43376, Beaumont, TX, September 26, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 2003, 19:00 local (Sep 26, 2003, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Beaumont, TX - Coordinates: 29.950834, -94.020553 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9508&lon=-94.0206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58019 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58019/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA232 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - maneuver to avoid obstructions - attempted, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During takeoff initial climb, the pilot reported the "engine was running rough" and the pilot elected to execute a precautionary landing to a field near the airport. The 515-hour pilot stated that during landing, he "banked [the airplane] sharply to the left to avoid power lines." Subsequently, the left wing left wing impacted the ground and airplane came to rest upright, approximately one mile south of runway 34. Examination of the engine revealed the bottom sparkplugs contained fuel and both magnetos produced spark on all posts. Continuity was established throughout the engine, and thumb compression was noted on all four cylinders. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On September 25, 2003, approximately 1900 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-151 single-engine airplane, N43376, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb from the Southeast Texas Regional Airport (BPT), near Beaumont, Texas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to King Interests, Inc., of League City, Texas, and operated by King Flight Service, of Pearland, Texas. Twilight visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 repositioning flight. The flight originated from BPT approximately 5 minutes before the time of the accident and was destined for the Pearland Regional Airport, near Pearland, Texas. The 515-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that during the initial climb from BPT, at an approximate altitude of 2,000 feet msl, the "engine was running rough." He executed a precautionary landing to a field near the airport. The pilot stated that prior to landing, he "banked [the airplane] sharply to the left to avoid power lines." Subsequently, the left wing impacted the ground and the airplane came to rest upright, approximately one mile south of runway 34. Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the left wing was partially separated from the fuselage and the left wing spar was broken. The left wing fuel tank was compromised and the right wing fuel tank was intact with visual signs of fuel. Both the left and right fuel caps were secure. Examination of the Lycoming O-320-D3G engine revealed the bottom spark plugs contained fuel. Both magnetos produced spark on all posts. Continuity was established throughout the engine, and thumb compression was noted on all four cylinders. The FAA inspector reported that the most recent maintenance performed on the aircraft prior to the accident flight was for the installation of a new carburetor. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43376](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43376-2012-06-07), registration cancelled 2012-06-07, S/N 28-7415481, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-151 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7415481 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: King Flight Service - Registered owner: King Interests, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BPT, Beaumont, TX - Destination: LVJ, Pearland, TX - Airport: BPT, Southeast Texas Regional Airpo ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 515 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: BPT, 1 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 20030925027329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030925027329A), Sep 25, 2003: Piper PA28151, Beaumont Port A, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 25, 2003, approximately 19:09 CDT, a Piper PA-28-151, received substantial damage when the PIC Mr. Paul w. legris made an emergency landing… 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.