Piper PA 32R-301T N9284

Summary

On 27 March 2015 at about 14:10 local time, a Piper PA 32R-301T registered N9284 was involved in an accident near Stephenville, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 March 2015 at 14:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Stephenville, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Stephenville Clark Regional (SEP)

Coordinates

32.2186, -98.1811

Aircraft

Piper PA 32R-301T

Registration

N9284

Category

Airplane

Year built

2001

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Stephenville → Wkarton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN15LA206

2 people were seriously injured.

The partial loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons, which necessitated a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted trees and a power line.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the engine "surged" several times, followed by the engine losing partial power. The pilot realized that the airplane did not have sufficient altitude to return to the departure airport, so he maneuvered it to land straight ahead on a roadway. During the descent, the airplane impacted trees and a power line. The airplane then impacted the ground adjacent to the roadway and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airframe and fuel system did not reveal evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the propeller assembly showed blade damage consistent with some degree of rotation at impact; however, the amount of power to the propeller could not be determined. Examination of the engine and accessories found no anomalies except that, when the left magneto was rotated, the impulse couplings made a snapping sound, but no spark occurred at the terminal outlet points. The magneto anomaly could have resulted in a rough-running engine and/or a nominal loss of rpms, but its total effect on engine performance could not be determined; therefore, the reason for the loss of partial engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.