Piper PA-32-300 N38800 accident, Pine Bluff, AR, Jul 26, 1997 · NTSB FTW97LA284

Probable cause

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerClimb - to cruise

Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause

Forced landingEmergency descent/landing

On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterEmergency landing

Terrain condition - none suitableFactor

Terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

Analysis

After takeoff, at 4,000 feet MSL, the airplane's engine 'started running rough.' The pilot contacted Little Rock approach control and reported that he was unable to maintain power, and was returning to Pine Bluff. He was not able to reach Pine Bluff and attempted to land on a farm maintained road leading to a rice field. The pilot was unable to stop the airplane, and it contacted the levee surrounding the rice field, which resulted in separation of the main landing gear. An engine run was performed, and an FAA inspector that attended the run reported that the engine, 'started easily and quickly, it ran smoothly from idle to max rpm in a satisfactory manner. There did not appear to be anything to cause a rough running engine.'

Factual narrative

On July 26, 1997 at 0627 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32-300 airplane, N38800, registered to and operated by a private owner, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a rice field levee during a forced landing. The commercial instrument rated pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The flight originated at Grider Field, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, at 0600 and was en route to Lexington, Mississippi, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 cross-country personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.

The pilot reported that after takeoff, at 4,000 feet MSL, the airplane's engine "started running rough." The pilot contacted Little Rock approach control and reported that he was unable to maintain power, and was returning to Pine Bluff. He was not able to make it back to Pine Bluff and attempted to land on a farm maintained road leading to a rice field. The pilot was unable to stop the airplane on the road, and it contacted the levee surrounding the rice field, which resulted in separation of the main landing gear. The airplane came to rest approximately 10 to 15 yards into the rice field. Both wings were damaged, the fuel cells were punctured, and one blade of the propeller was bent.

An engine run was performed, and the FAA inspector that attended the run reported, that the engine "started easily and quickly, it ran smoothly from idle to max rpm in a satisfactory manner. There did not appear to be anything to cause a rough running engine."

Aircraft

Registration: N38800
Reported as: Piper PA-32-300
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 32-7840001
Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Registered owner: K. Vaughn Knight
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Departed: PBF
Destination: 19M · Lexington, MS

N38800Registration cancelled Oct 2, 2026 · Piper PA-32-300S/N 32-7840001 · Built 1977 Airframe modelPiper PA-32-300 Engine modelLycoming IO-540 seriesReciprocating

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 30
Certificates: Commercial, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings: Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings: Airplane
Medical: Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat: Left
Flight hours: 2,164 total · 500 in this make and model · 1,968 as pilot in command · 300 in the last 90 days · 75 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: Calm
Visibility: 10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None
Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 19970726019689APiper PA32300 · Pine Bluff, ARDeveloped a rough running engine, unable to maintain altitude, made emergency landing, ran into a rice paddy. (-23) inspector neal sowers (stl FSDO), was present during the preparation and engine run on PA-32-300, N38800, on August 26, 1997, at loss…Jul 26, 1997 · N38800 · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N38800 · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB MIA93LA012Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFort Pierce, FLAn engine failure over unsuitable terrain. The cause of the engine failure was fuel contamination by ferrous metal particles that prevented the fuel servo from operating properly. The origin of the contamination is unknown.Oct 25, 1992 · Substantial damage