On January 10, 2000, a Piper PA-32-300 (registration N8954N) operated by Eagle Air Service, Ltd. was involved in an aviation accident near Sweeney, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's excessive flare resulting in a hard landing. Factors were the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, the power lines on final approach and the dark night conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During dark night conditions, the engine stopped in cruise flight. The instructor performed a forced landing to a field, but on final approach observed power lines. After banking and rotating, the airplane touched down hard on the nose and skidded to a stop. An engine test later showed no anomalies.
Event Description
The airplane was in level cruise flight during dark night conditions when the 'engine stopped.' The instructor elected to make a forced landing to a field.
Landing
On final approach, the instructor noticed what appeared to be power lines. The instructor banked the airplane to parallel the power lines and rotated the airplane to a nose high pitch attitude for touchdown. The touchdown was made on both main wheels; however, 'the nose of the aircraft came down hard,' and the airplane skidded to a stop.
Post-Accident Inspection
An FAA inspector supervised a 35-minute test run of the engine and found no anomalies.