# NTSB FTW86FQG05: Piper PA-24-260, N9183P, Big Spring, TX, January 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 12, 1986, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Big Spring, TX
- Coordinates: 32.23999, -101.46907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2400&lon=-101.4691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FQG05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FQG05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - displaced threshold
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH BARRIERS MARKING A DISPLACED THRESHOLD DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEPARTURE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, THEN QUIT COMPLETELY. THE ENGINE RAN SUCCESSFULLY FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN REFUELED ABOUT 6 TO 8 WEEKS BEFORE THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT & ANOTHER PILOTHAD FLOWN THE AIRCRAFT FOR 45 MINUTES (WITHOUT INCIDENT) IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. A CHECK OF THE FUEL SHOWED NO IRREGULARITIES OTHER THAN THE AGE OF THE FUEL. NO DISCREPANCIES WERE DISCOVERED DURING AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME OR FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9183P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4676
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Clyde E. Thomas Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1985, 28 hours before
- Airport: 21XS, Big Spring, runway 7, 2,800 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,410 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF, 38 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 19860112000539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860112000539A), Jan 12, 1986: Piper PA24260, Big Spring, TX, Substantial damage. Engine failed en route. Aircraft struck closed runway barrier during landing. No cause for engine failure was found.

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.

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