Piper PA-32-300 N38800

Summary

On 26 July 1997 at about 11:27 local time, a Piper PA-32-300 registered N38800 was involved in an accident near Pine Bluff, Arkansas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 July 1997 at 11:27

Classification

Accident

Location

Pine Bluff, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

34.2107, -92.0094

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-300

Registration

N38800

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Lexington

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97LA284

1 person had minor injuries.

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

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.