# NTSB FTW97LA284: Piper PA-32-300, N38800, Pine Bluff, AR, July 26, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 1997, 06:27 local (11:27 UTC) - Place: Pine Bluff, AR - Coordinates: 34.21072, -92.009353 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2107&lon=-92.0094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20295 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA284 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20295/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38800-2026-10-02), registration cancelled 2026-10-02, S/N 32-7840001, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7840001 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19970726019689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970726019689A), Jul 26, 1997: Piper PA32300, Pine Bluff, AR, Substantial damage. Developed a rough running engine, unable to maintain altitude, made emergency landing, ran into a rice paddy. (-23) inspector neal sowers (stl FSDO), was… ## Other investigations on N38800 (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 MIA93LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA012), Oct 25, 1992: Piper PA-32-300 (N38800), Fort Pierce, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: AN 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… 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.