# NTSB FTW88LA049: Piper PA-28-235, N8737W, Littlefield, TX, January 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1988, 11:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place: Littlefield, TX
- Coordinates: 33.909854, -102.330741 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9099&lon=-102.3307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22606
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22606/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA049

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE CONNECTING ROD CAP ATTACHING BOLT FAILED IN FLIGHT WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STOP. THE PILOT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH AT THE TIME BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE RUNWAY. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FARM FIELD SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. UPON TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH WHICH CAUSED LANDING GEAR FAILURE AND DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8737W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8737W), registered now, S/N 28-10277, 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: 28-10277
- Airframe hours: 2414
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Shawn Pickrell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1987
- Departed: Q00, LITTLEFIELD, TX
- Airport: Q00, Littlefield Municipal, runway 19, 4,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 76 total, 6 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19880116000789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880116000789A), Jan 16, 1988: Piper PA28235, Littlefield, TX, Substantial damage. Connecting rod bolt failure on final approach led to a crash landing short of the airport runway.

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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