Piper PA-28-140 N3961K

Summary

On 31 August 2002 at about 22:30 local time, a Piper PA-28-140 registered N3961K was involved in an accident near Price, Texas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 August 2002 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Price, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.1408, -94.9822

Aircraft

Piper PA-28-140

Registration

N3961K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Canton → Longview

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW02LA244

Nobody was injured.

The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot retarded the throttle and initiated a descent to deviate around a cloud. Once clear of the cloud, the pilot advanced the throttle and initiated a climb back to the cruise altitude; however, power did not develop and gradually decreased. Engine power continued to decrease and the pilot was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot attempted to restart the engine; however, was unsuccessful. He executed a forced landing to a field. The temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of serious induction icing at a glide power setting. According to an FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, the left wing fuel tank contained 12 gallons of fuel and the right wing fuel tank was compromised during the impact. The cockpit fuel selector placard was mounted upside-down; therefore, provided an incorrect reading to the pilot. The cockpit fuel selector was found in the OFF position; however, the placard that was installed at the time of the accident would have indicated that the selected fuel tank was the LEFT tank. The pilot did not recall the position of the cockpit fuel selector at the time of the loss of engine power. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.