# NTSB FTW89LA051: Piper PA-32-260, N3976W, Conroe, TX, February 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1989, 06:05 local (12:05 UTC)
- Place: Conroe, TX
- Location: 30.3645° N, 95.4259° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from CONROE/NORTH HOUSTON RGNL (CXO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3645&lon=-95.4259&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22835
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22835/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA051

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT DUE TO FATIGUE. THE LOW CEILING, DARK NIGHT, AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WERE FACTORS.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3976W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3976W-1992-03-05), registration cancelled 1992-03-05, S/N 32942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32-942
- Airframe hours: 11208
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brill, Charles
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1988, 57 hours before
- Departed: 3XS7, WALLER, TX
- Destination: M42, GRENADA, MS
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CXO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,433 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,338 as pilot in command, 232 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH, 24 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 19890217003469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890217003469A), Feb 17, 1989: Piper PA32260, Conroe, TX, Substantial damage. Engine failed after loss of oil pressure. Crashed in trees on exiting clouds. Crankshaft and connecting rod failure

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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