# NTSB FTW04CA061: Piper PA-32R, N4136S, Poynor, TX, January 15, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 15, 2004, 11:17 local (17:17 UTC)
- Place: Poynor, TX
- Coordinates: 32.086387, -95.599166
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0864&lon=-95.5992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Dallas FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58622
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04CA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58622/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04CA061

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while on final approach.  A factor was the downdraft.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (cause)

## Analysis

The 5,217-hour pilot stated that on final approach to runway 17, he encountered a downdraft which caused the airplane to descend more rapidly than normal.  The landing gear impacted a barbed wire fence, and the airplane landed approximately 7-feet short of the runway.  Runway 17 was reported to be 3,200 feet long by 40 feet wide.

## Factual narrative

On January 15, 2004, at 1117 central standard time, a Piper PA-32R single-engine airplane, N4136S, was substantially damaged when it impacted a fence on final approach to Pickle Plantation Airport (XS91) near Poynor, Texas.  The private pilot and his passenger were not injured.  The airplane was operated by D'Cap Industries Inc., of Poynor, Texas.   Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

In a written statement, the pilot stated that he had departed Pickle Plantation airport earlier that day for a local, pleasure flight.  Upon his return to the airport, he encountered a downdraft on final approach to runway 17, which caused the airplane to descend more rapidly than normal.  The landing gear impacted a barbed wire fence, and the airplane landed approximately 7-feet short of the runway.  Runway 17 was reported to be 3,200 feet long by 40 feet wide.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, the main gear had separated from the airplane and the nose gear was folded up in the nose gear wheel-well.  Both wings were "buckled and wrinkled," and all three propeller blades were bent back.

The pilot reported a total of 5,216.5 flight hours, of which, 1,447.1 hours were in the same make and model airplane.

The weather at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (TYR), near Tyler, Texas, 19 miles northeast of the accident site, at 1053, was reported as winds from 090 degrees at 12 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, few clouds at 2,400 feet, broken at 3,400 feet, and a barometric pressure of 30.18 inches of Mercury.  The temperature was 61 degrees Fahrenheit, and the dewpoint was 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4136S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4136S), registered now, S/N 3257093, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-32R
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301t) (registry code 7103220) (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: 57093
- Engines: Avco Lycoming TIO-540-AH1A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: D'Cap Industries Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: XS91, Poynor, TX
- Destination: XS91, Poynor, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,216 total, 1,447 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observed at: TYR

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.