Piper PA-28-140 N3978K
28 January 2001 · Tifton, Georgia, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 28 January 2001 at about 02:40 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N3978K, operated by Rockston O. Thomas, was involved in an accident near Tifton, Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 02:40
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Tifton, Georgia, United States
- Coordinates
- 31.4606, -83.5899
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140
- Registration
- N3978K
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Rockston O. Thomas
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Savannah → Enterprise
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Night/Dark
- NTSB number
- MIA01LA065
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to properly judge his altitude (too high) during a forced landing to a runway. The pilot made a 270-degree turn in an attempt to lose altitude resulting in a forced landing in a swampy/marshy area short of the runway. Contributing to the accident was a reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot was in cruise flight at 4,500, when the engine rpm decreased from 2400 rpm to idle power. He turned on the boost pump, applied carburetor heat, and switched fuel tanks with negative results. He contacted ATC, informed them of the situation and declared an emergency. ATC pointed out an airport, and he turned towards runway 15 at the airport. The pilot's approach was too high and he made a 270-degree turn. During the turn he realized that he would not be able to make the runway. He initiated a forced landing to a highway but was unable to get aligned, and crashed into a marshy area. Examination of the engine assembly and accessories, and no anomalies were noted. The engine was started and run at 2150 rpm.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-28 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Nov 2001 | Piper PA-28-180 | Mansfield, Ohio, United States | Monroe Aviation | Fatal | 1 |
| 25 Aug 2001 | Piper PA-28-235 | Crestline, Kansas, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 24 Aug 2001 | Piper PA-28-161 | Ardmore, Oklahoma, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 16 Jun 2001 | Piper PA-28-181 | Sedona, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 4 Jun 2001 | Piper PA-28-181 | Lytle Creek, California, United States | Air Desert Pacific | Fatal | 1 |
| 20 Mar 2001 | Piper PA-28-RT201 | Manassas, Virginia, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
All 9,402 records for this type
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 May 2001 | Cessna 182Q | Ball Ground, Georgia, United States | Golden Strohmeier | No injuries | - |
| 31 Oct 2001 | Cessna 152 | Elberton, Georgia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 16 Nov 2001 | Piper PA-24-250 | Peachtree City, Georgia, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 19 Jan 2001 | Cessna 172SP | Austell, Georgia, United States | Fulton Flight Services Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 16 Mar 2001 | Douglas DC-3 | Donalsonville, Georgia, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 Mar 2001 | Piper PA-25-235 | Bainbridge, Georgia, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |