# NTSB FTW86LA013: Piper PA-28, N5341W, Houston, TX, October 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1985, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.370635, -95.44979 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3706&lon=-95.4498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21985
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21985/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA013

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - object - utility pole(marked)

## Analysis

THE PASSENGERS STATED THAT THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN HIGHER POWER SETTINGS ON A GO-AROUND FROM A LOW APPROACH TO AN AIRPORT, AND ELECTED TO LAND ON A RURAL STREET. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED INSECT NESTS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND WATER IN THE GASOLINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5341W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5341W-2023-04-11), registration cancelled 2023-04-11, S/N 28-399, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28) (registry code 7102801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-399
- Airframe hours: 3419
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael L. Evans
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 30, 1985, 6 hours before
- Departed: AXH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 950 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19851011053839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851011053839A), Oct 11, 1985: Piper STCPA28, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Wing hit a stop sign on landing on a road after engine quit. Water in fuel tank, mud nest blocked intake manifold.

## Other investigations on N5341W (1)

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.

- [NTSB CEN22LA388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA388), Aug 15, 2022: Piper PA-28 (N5341W), Lucedale, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing on the wet turf runway with a higher speed.

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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