Piper PA-28R accident near Enterprise, Alabama, March 16, 2003
On March 16, 2003 at about 11:15 pm local time, a Piper PA-28R, registered N7635J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Enterprise, Alabama. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power due to oil starvation resulting from a crack in the propeller governor external oil line. A factor was the soft terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 16, 2003 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Enterprise, Alabama · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R · all PA-28Rs on the register
- Registration
- N7635J · registry record · serial 28R-31032
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the student pilot, while simulating an emergency descent, there was a surge in engine rpm and a significant drop in engine oil pressure. The CFI checked the engine oil pressure and within seconds the engine seized, and by this time the windshield was covered with oil. The certified flight instructor (CFI) diverted to an open wheat field three miles southwest of Enterprise Municipal Airport. During the emergency landing, the airplane touched down but became difficult to control after rollout and the airplane spun 120 degrees to the right, colliding with the terrain. Examination of the aircraft found that the propeller assembly was bent, all three landing gear had collapsed and both wings were damaged in the vicinity of the collapsed landing gear. There was also damage to the fuselage just aft of the baggage compartment. Examination of the engine revealed that there was a crack in the propeller governor external oil line located at the first 90-degree bend radius aft the forward B-nut. A review of the aircraft maintenance log disclosed that the oil line was installed about 30 hours before the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,270 hours in all; 120 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 3,994 as pilot in command; 1,812 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 1, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: commercial pilot, military, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 450 hours in all; 7 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 250 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 6, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,000 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 30, 2003; 22 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-BIE (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KEDM Enterprise AL at 9:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 8,500 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from DHN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.