# NTSB FTW96LA264: Piper PA-36-300, N57836, Littlefield, TX, June 20, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 1996, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Littlefield, TX - Coordinates: 33.909191, -102.330436 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9092&lon=-102.3304&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19875 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19875/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA264 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to the failure of the number 5 and 6 connecting rods. 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(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he made one pass over the field he intended to spray. When he lined up to make the second pass, the 'engine shook fiercely and locked down.' A forced landing was performed to the field. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a terrace and became airborne. The airplane landed again a 'short distance away and came to a stop.' During the impact with the terrace, the landing gear separated from the aircraft and the fuselage sustained structural damage. Postcrash examination of the engine by the operator revealed that the loss of engine power was attributed to the failure of the number 5 and 6 connecting rods which had penetrated the engine case. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 1996, at 0830 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-300, N57836, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 137, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Littlefield, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight that originated 15 minutes before the accident. A flight plan was not filed. The pilot reported that he made one pass over the field he intended to spray. When he lined up to make the second pass, the "engine shook fiercely and locked down." A forced landing was performed to the field. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a terrace and became airborne. The airplane landed again a "short distance away and came to a stop." During the impact with the terrace, the landing gear separated from the aircraft and the fuselage sustained structural damage. Post-crash examination of the engine by the operator revealed that the loss of engine power was attributed to the failure of the number 5 and 6 connecting rods which had penetrated the engine case. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57836](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57836-1999-04-22), registration cancelled 1999-04-22, S/N 36-7760008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-36-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-36-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-300) (registry code 7103612) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36-7760008 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Thomas C. Brown - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Q00, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 5,000 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 4,940 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LBB, 45 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 19960620014579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960620014579A), Jun 20, 1996: Piper PA36300, Littlefield, TX, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff and made an emergency landing. (-23) pilot states that the engine lost power, and he made an emergency landing. The aircraft… 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.