Accident Overview
On September 7, 2018, at approximately 2103 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32 airplane, registration N33354, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Roanoke, Texas. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT), Gulfport, Mississippi.
Occupant Injuries
The pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries, two passengers were not injured, and one passenger sustained serious injuries.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, the engine started without hesitation and the engine run-up prior to takeoff was normal, with no discrepancies in magneto drop or instrument indications. Shortly after takeoff from runway 35, the engine failed and the pilot was unable to maintain altitude. He stated that the stall horn sounded, and he elected to land straight ahead. The airplane impacted the ground and came to rest at the base of several trees and bushes. Both wings separated from the airplane, and the fuselage came to rest on its left side. After the accident, the pilot turned the fuel selector valve, the fuel pump, and the ignition switch to the off position.
Engine Examination
An examination of the engine revealed that the lower set of spark plugs exhibited worn out – severe signatures, and the upper right set of spark plugs exhibited normal to worn out signatures when compared to the Champion Check-a-Plug chart. An engine test run was conducted. The damaged propeller was removed, and a replacement propeller was installed. Additionally, a fuel can was connected to the electric driven fuel pump, and a fuel line was run to the engine driven fuel pump. Several attempts were made to start the engine; after the lower spark plugs were replaced, the engine started without hesitation and ran at various power settings. The engine would not run when the right magneto was selected. Examination of the right magneto revealed that the coil had failed.
Engine Data
The airplane was equipped with a JPI 900 engine monitoring unit. Engine parameters downloaded from the unit illustrated expected exhaust gas temperatures and cylinder head temperatures consistent with engine start, engine run-up, and the increase in power for takeoff. The data also illustrated increases in oil temperature, manifold pressure, rpm, and fuel flow, consistent with those phases. The engine rpm and fuel flow dropped off about 20 seconds before the end of the recording.