Accident Overview
On July 28, 2020, at approximately 0143 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200 airplane, registration N15302, was substantially damaged after crashing into a residential area near Houston, Texas. The pilot and passenger on board suffered serious injuries. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight History
The cross-country flight originated from and was planned to return to Sugar Land Regional Airport (SGR) in Houston, with stops at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (TYR) in Tyler, Texas, and Stan Stamper Municipal Airport (HHW) in Hugo, Oklahoma. According to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, the aircraft departed SGR at 2103 and flew north toward TYR at a cruise altitude of 8,000 ft msl for about one hour. After descending, it overflew TYR by about 14 nautical miles before reversing course. At 2242:38, the airplane crossed the arrival threshold for runway 17 at TYR, and about 8.5 minutes later, ADS-B data showed it halfway down runway 13 on takeoff. The airplane then proceeded toward HHW at 6,500 ft msl. Upon approaching HHW, ADS-B data was interrupted for about two minutes. At 2341:21, the airplane was 0.8 nm northeast of runway 17 at HHW, and two minutes later it was 0.3 nm south of the departure end of runway 17. The flight continued south toward SGR at 9,500 ft msl for about one hour, then descended to 8,000 ft msl for an additional 30 minutes.
Emergency Declaration
At 0133:45, the airplane began descending from 8,000 ft msl. A recording of communications with Houston Terminal Radar Approach Control revealed that at 0141, when the airplane was about 15.5 nm north-northeast of SGR, the pilot declared an emergency and requested vectors to the nearest airport. The controller advised that West Houston Airport (IWS) was four miles directly ahead. When asked about the nature of the emergency, the pilot responded, “engine out.” After the controller updated the location of IWS, the pilot stated that he did not think they could reach it. The controller then mentioned a nearby freeway. Further inquiries revealed that there were two people and 10 gallons of fuel on board. ADS-B data showed the airplane turning left toward IWS and descending until the data ended at 0143:17. At 0143:16, the pilot notified the controller that he could not reach the freeway and would have to land in a neighborhood. No further transmissions were received. The airplane was airborne for about 4 hours 40 minutes.
A report filed by the pilot’s wife on his behalf indicated that due to his injuries, he had no recollection of the flight. The passenger stated that they departed SGR and flew to two intermediate airports, making “touch and go” landings at each. On the return leg, when the airplane was 12 miles from SGR, the “engine shut off, came back on and then shut down again.”
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airframe, including the fuel system, and the engine revealed no preimpact anomalies. The Pilot’s Operating Manual (POM) indicates the airplane is equipped with two 25-gallon fuel tanks (24 gallons usable) in each wing. The pilot selects which tank to use via a fuel selector valve; fuel cannot be drawn from both tanks simultaneously. Performance data shows fuel burn rates of 8.0, 9.16, and 10.15 gallons per hour at 55%, 65%, and 75% power, respectively. At 2,400 rpm, the engine can produce about 70% of its maximum rated power at 8,000 ft density altitude, and about 65% at 9,500 ft density altitude. At 6,500 ft, the engine can attain 75% power, the normal cruise setting stated in the POM.