# NTSB FTW99LA178: Piper PA-24-260, N5788, Houston, TX, July 2, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1999, 20:40 local (Jul 2, 1999, 01:40 UTC) - Place: Houston, TX - Coordinates: 29.610641, -95.119094 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6106&lon=-95.1191&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46681 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46681/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA178 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent rate during a forced landing, which resulted in a runway undershoot. Factors were the total loss of engine power for an undetermined reason and the dusk light conditions. ## 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 (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Undershoot, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - light condition - dusk (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot failed to maintain the proper descent rate during a VFR approach, in dusk light conditions, following a complete loss of engine power, and the airplane undershot the runway. The airplane was on the downwind leg at 1,100 feet agl and was abeam the runway numbers when the pilot extended the landing gear. Simultaneously, she heard a loud bang and noticed a loss of engine power. The pilot advanced the throttle and realized that the engine had lost total power. The pilot stated that she trimmed the airplane to attain the best glide speed, but did not verify the airspeed during the ensuing forced landing. She added that the airplane was descending 'too fast,' and she needed 'more trim to relieve back pressure, but decided to muscle it as best [she] could and try not to stall the airplane.' Subsequently, the airplane's nose wheel contacted a cement drainage ditch at the approach end of the runway. Following the accident, the engine was test run in the airframe and found to operate within the manufacturer's specifications. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 1999, at 2040 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260 airplane, N5788, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a complete loss of engine power while executing a VFR approach to the West Houston Airport near Houston, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was one of four partners who owned the airplane, and her three passengers were not injured. Dusk visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the New Braunfels Municipal Airport, New Braunfels, Texas, at 1950. According to the pilot and a fuel receipt, the airplane was "topped off" with 18 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel at New Braunfels. Subsequently, the airplane departed New Braunfels for Houston. The 357-hour pilot reported that the airplane was on a VFR approach to runway 15 at the West Houston Airport. The airplane was on a left downwind leg, level at 1,100 feet agl, and abeam the runway numbers when she extended the landing gear. Simultaneously she heard a "loud bang" and noticed a loss of engine power. The instrument panel lights "flickered," and the illumination in the cockpit failed. The pilot then advanced the throttle and realized that the engine had lost total power. The pilot stated that she trimmed the airplane to attain the best glide speed, but did not verify the airspeed during the ensuing forced landing. She added that the airplane was descending "too fast," and she needed "more trim to relieve back pressure, but decided to muscle it as best [she] could and try not to stall the airplane." Subsequently, the airplane's nose wheel contacted a cement drainage area at the approach end of the runway and collapsed. The left main landing gear penetrated the wing structure, and the airplane slid approximately 250 feet down the runway, coming to a stop upright. The pilot reported that the following light and weather conditions existed at the time of the accident: dusk light, visibility greater than 10 miles, clear skies, and wind from 150 degrees at 15 knots. The airplane was equipped with a 260-horsepower Lycoming IO-540-D engine, which was examined and test run at Caulkins Aero, Houston, Texas, under the supervision of an FAA inspector. The spark plugs, magnetos, oil filter, and air filter were examined before the test run and no anomalies were noted. The fuel selector valve "worked free and correct through all of its ranges," and fuel was present in each of the four fuel tanks. The engine was run in the airframe for a total of 28 minutes at various rpm and manifold pressure settings, including the maximum power setting. The engine operated within manufacturer's specifications. For further details reference the enclosed FAA inspector's statement. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5788](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5788), registered now, S/N 24-4580, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-24-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-4580 - Airframe hours: 4775 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540D 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David A. Pyle - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1998, 112 hours before - Departed: BAZ, NEW BRAUNFELS, TX - Destination: IWS - Airport: IWS, West Hosuton, runway 15, 3,955 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 357 total, 27 in this make and model, 241 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 150° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19990701008209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990701008209A), Jul 1, 1999: Piper PA24260, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. (.19)On July 1, 1999, at 2040 central daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260 airplane, N5788, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a complete… 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.