# NTSB FTW94LA047: Piper PA-28-180, N8835J, Fort Worth, TX, December 11, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 11, 1993, 17:57 local (23:57 UTC) - Place: Fort Worth, TX - Coordinates: 32.879688, -97.350372 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8797&lon=-97.3504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18975 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18975/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA047 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER 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, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Overrun, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence ## Analysis DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKE OFF, THE AIRCRAFT LOST ENGINE POWER. WITNESSES ON THE GROUND REPORTED THE ENGINE QUIT AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET. THEY ALSO REPORTED SEEING BLACK SMOKE BEING EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE PILOT LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD ON THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY. DUE TO THE LACK OF REMAINING RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE RAN THROUGH A FENCE LINE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND AN ENGINE TEST RUN FAILED TO REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES. ## Factual narrative On December 11, 1993, at 1757 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N8835J, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Fort Worth, Texas. The commercial pilot and his three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan was filed. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Report form that he experienced a loss of engine power during the initial takeoff climb, approximately 50 to 75 feet above the ground. He landed straight ahead on the runway and applied full brakes. However, the aircraft overran the departure end of the runway, proceeded through a fence, and struck a fence post prior to coming to rest. A witness on the ground stated that when the aircraft was "at an approximate altitude of 75 to 100 feet, the engine quit abruptly." He further stated that "there was a slight backfire" at the same moment. "The only other sound from the engine was a little burst of power when the pilot lowered the nose of the aircraft." Two airframe and powerplant mechanics who performed an engine run stated that "no abnormal signs were detected." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8835J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8835J-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 28-2791, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-2791 - Airframe hours: 2862 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bush, David - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 1993, 3 hours before - Destination: 1F1, OVERBROOK, OK - Airport: T67, Hicks Airfield, runway 14, 3,740 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,130 total, 5 in this make and model, 2,580 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AFW, 4 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 19931211046799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931211046799A), Dec 11, 1993: Piper PA28180, Fort Worth, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot reported power loss on takeoff verified by witness and prop damage. Relanded on runway. Overran into a fence. 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.