Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary DFW08LA176

Cookson, OK, USA

Aircraft #1

N132RR

PIPER PA-32RT-300T

Analysis

Moments after the single-engine airplane became airborne, the pilot observed a partial loss of engine power. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted into trees beyond the departure end of the runway. The airplane came to rest nose pointing skyward in a tree. There was no post crash fire and all three occupants were able to exit the airplane unassisted. The onsite investigation revealed that the propeller had sliced into a tree in a manner consistent with the engine producing power at the time of impact. There were no reported abnormalities with the flight controls. The reason for the reported partial loss of engine power was not determined.

Factual Information

On June 29, 2008, about 1700 central daylight time, a single-engine Piper PA-32RT-300T airplane, N132RR, was substantially damaged during impact with trees during takeoff from the Snake Creek Wilderness Airport (OK06), Cookson, Oklahoma. The private pilot and the two occupants sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Lance Land Services LLC., of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The 132-nautical mile cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Wiley Post Airport (PWA), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. According to the pilot, moments after the airplane became airborne, he observed a partial loss of engine power. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted into trees beyond the departure end of the runway. The airplane came to rest nose pointing skyward in a tree. There was no post crash fire and all three occupants were able to exit the airplane unassisted. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident site. The inspector reported that the airplane's wings and fuselage sustained structural damage during the impact. The investigation further revealed that the propeller had sliced into a tree in a manner consistent with the engine producing power at the time of impact. There were no reported abnormalities with the flight controls. The reason for the reported partial loss of engine power was not determined. At 1653, the automated weather observing system at the Davis Field Airport (MKO), Muskogee, Oklahoma, located 20 nautical miles west from the site of the accident, reported wind from 340 degrees at 11 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, clear of clouds, temperature 82 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.13 inches of Mercury.

Probable Cause and Findings

The partial loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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