# NTSB FTW91LA039: Piper PA-28-140, N7388J, Davant, LA, February 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1991, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Davant, LA
- Location: 29.6085° N, 89.8484° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Davant, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6085&lon=-89.8484&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23303
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23303/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA039

## Probable cause

THE POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE STUDENT PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING SLOW FLIGHT TO A LANDING STALL AT 2,500 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. DURING THE RECOVERY PHASE, THE STUDENT PILOT INCREASED THE THROTTLE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TOOK THE CONTROLS AND ELECTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING. ON SHORT FINAL TO AN OPEN FIELD, THE AIRPLANE WING CLIPPED A TREE. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO ANOMALIES THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7388J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7388J-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 28-24750, built 1968 (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: 28-24750
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Harold Butchart
- Departed: NB6, NEW ORLEANS, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,308 total, 279 in this make and model, 425 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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