# NTSB FTW95LA292: Piper PA-28-161, N9869K, Van Buren, AR, July 13, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1995, 20:30 local (Jul 13, 1995, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Van Buren, AR
- Coordinates: 35.440036, -94.349128 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4400&lon=-94.3491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19494
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA292
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19494/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA292

## Probable cause

A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF DISTANCE AND SPEED DURING THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING RESULTING IN AN OVERSHOOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH WHILE ON DOWNWIND, AND HE EXECUTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN MIDWAY DOWN THE RUNWAY AND RAN OFF THE END DUE TO THE 'EXCESSIVE AIR SPEED.' DURING THE POSTCRASH EXAMINATION NO ANOMALIES COULD BE FOUND THAT ACCOUNTED FOR THE ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE.

## Factual narrative

On July 12, 1995, at 2030 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 161, N8969K, was substantially damaged during landing near Van Buren, Arkansas.  The private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight.

In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot reported that the engine began to run rough while on downwind.  The pilot further stated that he executed a precautionary landing to the runway.  Physical evidence indicated that the aircraft touched down "mid-runway and ran off of the runway end" due to the "excessive air speed."

Examination of the aircraft revealed structural damage to the propeller, engine mounts and right wing.  During the examination no anomalies could be found that accounted for the rough running engine.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9869K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9869K-2017-04-13), registration cancelled 2017-04-13, S/N 28-7816199 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7816199
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-O36 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger L. Dougan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: F39, SHERMAN-DENISON, TX
- Destination: 39A
- Airport: 39A, Twin Cities Airport, runway 18, 3,500 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 394 total, 51 in this make and model, 354 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSM, 10 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 19950712017689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950712017689A), Jul 12, 1995: Piper PA28161, Van Buren, AR, Substantial damage. Rough engine on downwind. Executed emergency landing on runway midfield. Ran off end. No anomalies found.

## Other investigations on N9869K (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 FTW96LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA199), May 1, 1996: Piper PA-28 (N9869K), Mountain Home, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to visually check the fuel quantity during the preflight inspection. A factor was the unsuitable terrain for the forced landing.

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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