Piper PA 32R-301T accident near Stephenville, Texas, March 27, 2015
On March 27, 2015 at about 2:10 pm local time, a 2001 Piper PA 32R-301T, registered N9284, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Stephenville, Texas (Stephenville Clark Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons, which necessitated a forced landing, during which the airplane impacted trees and a power line.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 27, 2015 · about 2:10 pm local time
- Place
- Stephenville, Texas · Stephenville Clark Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 32R-301T 301T, built 2001 · all PA 32R-301Ts on the register
- Registration
- N9284 · no longer on the register · serial 3257219
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the engine "surged" several times, followed by the engine losing partial power. The pilot realized that the airplane did not have sufficient altitude to return to the departure airport, so he maneuvered it to land straight ahead on a roadway. During the descent, the airplane impacted trees and a power line. The airplane then impacted the ground adjacent to the roadway and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airframe and fuel system did not reveal evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the propeller assembly showed blade damage consistent with some degree of rotation at impact; however, the amount of power to the propeller could not be determined. Examination of the engine and accessories found no anomalies except that, when the left magneto was rotated, the impulse couplings made a snapping sound, but no spark occurred at the terminal outlet points. The magneto anomaly could have resulted in a rough-running engine and/or a nominal loss of rpms, but its total effect on engine performance could not be determined; therefore, the reason for the loss of partial engine power could not be determined.
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 (partial) during takeoff defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Malfunction
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Pole › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 119 hours in all; 20 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 10, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,333.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 20, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 3,615 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD (piston); 1,334 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SEP Stephenville TX at 9:05 am
- Destination: ARM Wkarton TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 2:14 pm from SEP, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.