Piper PA-36-300 N3715E

Summary

On 16 June 2003 at about 22:00 local time, a Piper PA-36-300 registered N3715E was involved in an accident near Gruver, Texas, 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

16 June 2003 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Gruver, Texas, United States

Coordinates

36.2336, -101.4319

Aircraft

Piper PA-36-300

Registration

N3715E

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gruver → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW03LA181

1 person had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The agricultural airplane departed with 160 gallons of chemical herbicide and the fuel tanks half full. According to the pilot, during the initial takeoff climb, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power, and he attempted a forced landing to a road. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. An examination of the fuel system by the FAA inspector revealed no signs of fuel contamination, the fuel boost pump was operated within limits, and all fuel controls were in the correct position.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.