# NTSB FTW04LA070: Piper PA-28-235, N8936W, Knox City, TX, February 2, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 2, 2004, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Knox City, TX - Coordinates: 33.42889, -99.88639 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4289&lon=-99.8864&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FSDO Lubbock, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 58698 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58698/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA070 ## Probable cause The pilot's attempt to land on terrain not suitable for landing. A contributing factor was the soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - attempted, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis During a cross-country flight, the 194-hour private pilot decided to land in a field at his ranch. Upon landing in the field, the left main landing gear tire sunk into the soft ground and the pilot lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft turned to the left and the pilot employed right rudder in an unsuccessful attempt to counter the left turn. The pilot reported that the field was "soft." ## Factual narrative On February 2, 2004, approximately 1630 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-235 single-engine airplane, N8936W, owned and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing in a pasture near Knox City, Texas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Terrell Municipal Airport (TRL) near Terrell, Texas, at approximately 1430, with Knox City as its intended destination. According to the 194-hour pilot, who was attempting to land in an open field at his ranch, at approximately 1430, after receiving weather information from Fort Worth Center, he departed Terrell Municipal Airport with the intent to land at his ranch located 8 miles west of Knox City. When the pilot arrived at the area where he planned to land, he peformed a fly-by to look for any obstructions in the field. The field appeared to be flat and open and the pilot executed a normal descent and landing. The pilot added that he properly flared the airplane and touched down on the main gear, with the nose gear touching down approximately 30 feet later. The pilot added that after firmly on the ground, he pulled all power and the aircraft rolled approximately 300 feet. According to the pilot, the aircraft then veered to the left and he applied right rudder, but the pilot was not able to stop the left turn. The pilot stated that approximately 30 feet later, the right wing impacted the ground and the nose gear collapsed. The aircraft spun around and then the left wing and propeller impacted the ground. The pilot stated that the ground was "soft," and the left main tire appeared to have sunk into the soft ground. Examination by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the left wing forward spar was fractured and the aft spar was bent. Further examination revealed that the forward section of the left wing root separated from the fuselage. The nose gear was found folded inside the wheel well. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8936W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8936W-2011-05-11), registration cancelled 2011-05-11, S/N 28-10503, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-10503 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert J. Crowell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KTRL, Terrell, TX - Destination: Knox City, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 194 total, 108 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: TRL ## 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 20040202000559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040202000559A), Feb 2, 2004: Piper PA28235, Knox City, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On February 2, 2004, at approximately 1615 hours CST, while attempting to land on a privately owned field 7 miles south of Knox City, Texas, on county… 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.