# NTSB FTW96LA193: Piper PA-28RT-201T, N2194Y, Columbus, TX, April 26, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 1996, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Columbus, TX - Coordinates: 29.699409, -96.550178 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6994&lon=-96.5502&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19824 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19824/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA193 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision to continue the flight instead of returning to the takeoff airport after encountering adverse weather. Factors were: the inaccurate weather forecast, the low ceiling and the lack of suitable terrain for the precautionary landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - weather forecast - inaccurate, nws personnel (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The noninstrument-rated private pilot made a precautionary landing in a field after encountering unforecast low ceilings during a cross-country flight. The preflight weather briefing indicated there were no precautions or advisories applicable to the proposed route of flight. According to the pilot, after 15 minutes of cruise flight, he 'realized' that he was on top of an overcast cloud layer. He 'made a u-turn,' and 'after working [his] way back down,' found the ceiling was about 700 feet AGL. He elected to divert to the nearest airport, but was unable to locate the airport and landed in a pasture. The airplane collided with a ditch during the landing roll. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 1996, approximately 1000 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28RT-201T, N2194Y, registered to and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing in a field near Columbus, Texas. The non-instrument rated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the departure from Sugar Land Municipal Airport, Houston, Texas, approximately 0930. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight encountered instrument meteorological conditions en route to the intended destination of San Antonio, Texas. Prior to departure, the pilot contacted the Montgomery County Automated Flight Service Station and requested a full weather briefing. Review of a taped record of the briefing by the investigator in charge revealed that the pilot was told there were no advisories or precautions applicable to the proposed route of flight; the briefer commented that "it looks real nice now." The pilot reported that the "information [he received] indicated clear 30 miles west of Houston with front passage, Houston to clear within the hour." The pilot departed "when Houston began to clear." According to the pilot, after 15 minutes of cruise flight, he "realized" that he was on top of an overcast cloud layer with "no sign of clearing." After an unsuccessful attempt to contact air traffic control for a weather update, the pilot decided to "make a u-turn to make sure of not being trapped on top." The pilot reported that, "after working [his] way back down," he found the ceiling was about 700 feet AGL, and he elected to divert to the nearest airport, which was the Robert R. Wells Jr. Airport in Columbus, Texas. He was unable to locate the airport and landed in a pasture. On landing roll, the airplane struck a ditch and both wings sustained substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2194Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2194Y), registered now, S/N 28R-7931149, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28RT-201T (PA-28RT-20) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28RT-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28rt-201t) (registry code 7102817) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7931149 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360-7BA 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joe E. Minihan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SGR, HOUSTON, TX - Destination: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 196 total, 61 in this make and model, 196 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 10 knots - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19960426014489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960426014489A), Apr 26, 1996: Piper PA28RT201T, Columbus, TX, Substantial damage. (.4) The noninstrument-rated private pilot made a precautionary landing in a field after encountering unforecast low ceilings during a cross-country flight.… 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.