# NTSB FTW87LA132: Piper PA-28-140, N6426W, Port Aransas, TX, May 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1987, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Aransas, TX
- Coordinates: 27.820039, -97.05915 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8200&lon=-97.0592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 8, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA132

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. THE PILOT MADE A 180 DEGREE TURN AND ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE RUNWAY. TOUCHDOWN OCCURRED ABOUT 15 FEET SHORT AND THE LANDING GEAR IMPACTED A SANDY EMBANKMENT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SLID TO A STOP ON THE SURFACE OF THE RUNWAY. NO TRASH OR WATER WAS NOTED IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. AN ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY WAS ON BOARD. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION FAILED TO REVEAL EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT PROBLEM. A CAUSE FOR THE POWER LOSS WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6426W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6426W-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 28-20496, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2820496
- Airframe hours: 3700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary L Lambert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1986, 70 hours before
- Departed: CRP, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
- Airport: 2R8, Mustang Beach, runway 12, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,550 total, 700 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °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 19870524015729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870524015729A), May 24, 1987: Piper STCPA28, Port Aransas, TX, Substantial damage. Landed short and collided with an embankment after engine failure on downwind leg. Suspect vapor lock on engine.

## Other investigations on N6426W (3)

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 MKC69F0339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC69F0339), Mar 9, 1969: Piper PA-28 (N6426W), Iowa City, IA, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC68D0373](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC68D0373), Dec 12, 1967: Piper PA-28 (N6426W), Iowa City, IA, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC68D0031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC68D0031), Jun 11, 1967: Piper PA-28 (N6426W), Iowa City, IA, substantial damage

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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