Piper PA-28-161 accident near Arcola, Texas, March 30, 2012
On March 30, 2012 at about 11:20 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-161, registered N800KA, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Arcola, Texas (Houston Southwest Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during landing approach for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 30, 2012 · about 11:20 pm local time
- Place
- Arcola, Texas · Houston Southwest Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-161 · all PA-28-161s on the register
- Registration
- N800KA · no longer on the register · serial 28-8516019
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, there were no mechanical anomalies noted as he completed his preflight inspection or during cruise flight. However, the airplane experienced a sudden loss of engine power during the turn from the downwind leg to the base leg in the traffic pattern at the intended destination. The engine did not respond to throttle movements, and the application of carburetor heat did not improve engine performance. The pilot reported that there was insufficient altitude remaining to safely glide to the runway, and, as such, he performed a forced landing in a nearby drainage ditch. The nose landing gear collapsed during the landing. A postaccident examination revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation. The carburetor heat cockpit control was found in the ON position, and its movement confirmed continuity to the heat-box assembly. Although a carburetor-icing probability chart indicated that there was a serious risk of carburetor ice accumulation while operating at reduced engine power settings, such as during traffic pattern operations, the postaccident investigation could not determine if carburetor ice contributed to the loss of engine power.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Landing gear collapse during landing
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 51 hours in all; 38 in this make and model; 34 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 8 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,612 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 23, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 2,440 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D3G (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Bay Area Aero Club
The flight
- Departed from: KLVJ Pearland TX at 11:03 pm
- Destination: KAXH Arcola TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 5,003 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; not recorded
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 11:15 pm from KAXH, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.