1990-01-14: Piper PA-32R-301T — Liberty, TX

Casualties unknown • Liberty, TX, US

Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FAILURE OF THE TAPPET FACES. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN IN WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 3500 FEET, THE AIRCRAFT YAWED VIOLENTLY LEFT, FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE SHUTDOWN. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A INFLIGHT ENGINE RESTART WITHOUT SUCCESS. LANDING WAS MADE TO A PASTURE WITH THE GEAR UP DUE TO THE SUSPECTED WET GROUND CONDITIONS. DURING THE GROUND RUN, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A FENCE ROW, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE VIOLENT YAW AND ENGINE SHUTDOWN WAS THE RESULT OF THE TAPPET FACE FAILURES. EXAMINATION OF THE FACES DID NOT DETERMINE THE FAILURE MODE.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1990-01-14 Piper PA-32R-301T accident near Liberty, TX?

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT 3500 FEET, THE AIRCRAFT YAWED VIOLENTLY LEFT, FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE SHUTDOWN. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A INFLIGHT ENGINE RESTART WITHOUT SUCCESS. LANDING WAS MADE TO A PASTURE WITH THE GEAR UP DUE TO THE SUSPECTED WET GROUND CONDITIONS. DURING THE GROUND RUN, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A FENCE ROW,…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1990-01-14 involved a Piper PA-32R-301T, registration N8128B, at Liberty, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FAILURE OF THE TAPPET FACES. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN IN WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X22423. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…