# NTSB FTW93LA120: Piper PA-28R-200, N4439T, Midlothian, TX, April 8, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 8, 1993, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Midlothian, TX - Coordinates: 32.400882, -96.849243 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4009&lon=-96.8492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 17, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18722 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18722/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA120 ## Probable cause FAILURE OF THE ENGINE COWLING LATCH RESULTING IN DETERIORATING AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE AND A FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise - cooling system,cowling - failure,partial (cause) - Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown - aircraft performance - deteriorated (contributing factor) - altitude - not possible, pilot in command - Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis DURING CLIMBOUT THE ENGINE COWLING LATCH FAILED, AND THE COWLING OPENED COMING TO REST AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. THE COWLING BLOCKED THE PILOT'S FORWARD VIEW, AND ACTED AS A FLAT PLATE CAUSING DRAG THAT COULD NOT BE OVERCOME WITH FULL POWER. THE MAX AIRSPEED THAT COULD BE GAINED WITH A FULL POWER WAS NO MORE THAN 70 KTS, AND THE SINK RATE DEVELOPED TO APRX 1,000 FPM. THE PILOT COULD NOT MAKE THE DESIRED RUNWAY AND LANDED IN AN ADJACENT FIELD COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR. THE LEFT FRONT LATCH HAD FAILED; THE RIGHT FRONT LATCH SUBSEQUENTLY CAME OPEN. ## Factual narrative On April 8, 1993, at 1610 central daylight time (CDT) a Piper PA-28R-200, N4439T, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at the Midlothian Airport, Midlothian, Texas. The private pilot, also the owner, was not injured during the visual flight rules flight. The flight originated at Midlothian and its destination was Alexandria, Louisiana. During an interview conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot stated that during his initial climb after takeoff the nose cowling came loose and rotated upwards. After it came loose, the cowling lodged against the windshield, blocking the pilot's visibility and creating a high drag load. He added that the increased drag prevented the pilot from reaching his intended landing site, the departure airport. The pilot reported that he landed hard. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4439T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4439T-2000-03-16), registration cancelled 2000-03-16, S/N 28R-7235051 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-200 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200) (registry code 7102811) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7235051 - Airframe hours: 3573 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-366-CIC 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Williams, Kenneth W. - Registered owner: Williams, Kenneth W. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1992, 90 hours before - Departed: 4T6 - Destination: ESF, ALEXANDRIA, LA - Airport: 4T6, Midlothian, runway 18, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 17 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FTW ## 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 19930408008169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930408008169A), Apr 8, 1993: Piper PA28R200, Midlothian, TX, Substantial damage. Engine cowl front came loose. Blockd view and lift. Landed short runway. Left fastener open right one had failed. ## Other investigations on N4439T (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 OAK74DVG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74DVG02), Jul 9, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N4439T), Napa, CA, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.