MIDLOTHIAN, TX, USA
N4439T
PIPER PA-28R-200
DURING CLIMBOUT THE ENGINE COWLING LATCH FAILED, AND THE COWLING OPENED COMING TO REST AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD. THE COWLING BLOCKED THE PILOT'S FORWARD VIEW, AND ACTED AS A FLAT PLATE CAUSING DRAG THAT COULD NOT BE OVERCOME WITH FULL POWER. THE MAX AIRSPEED THAT COULD BE GAINED WITH A FULL POWER WAS NO MORE THAN 70 KTS, AND THE SINK RATE DEVELOPED TO APRX 1,000 FPM. THE PILOT COULD NOT MAKE THE DESIRED RUNWAY AND LANDED IN AN ADJACENT FIELD COLLAPSING THE LANDING GEAR. THE LEFT FRONT LATCH HAD FAILED; THE RIGHT FRONT LATCH SUBSEQUENTLY CAME OPEN.
On April 8, 1993, at 1610 central daylight time (CDT) a Piper PA-28R-200, N4439T, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at the Midlothian Airport, Midlothian, Texas. The private pilot, also the owner, was not injured during the visual flight rules flight. The flight originated at Midlothian and its destination was Alexandria, Louisiana. During an interview conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot stated that during his initial climb after takeoff the nose cowling came loose and rotated upwards. After it came loose, the cowling lodged against the windshield, blocking the pilot's visibility and creating a high drag load. He added that the increased drag prevented the pilot from reaching his intended landing site, the departure airport. The pilot reported that he landed hard.
FAILURE OF THE ENGINE COWLING LATCH RESULTING IN DETERIORATING AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE AND A FORCED LANDING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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