Piper PA22 accident near Furlow, Arkansas, February 14, 2022
On February 14, 2022 at about 10:40 pm local time, a 1957 Piper PA22, registered N7337D, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Furlow, Arkansas (Country Air Estates airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 14, 2022 · about 10:40 pm local time
- Place
- Furlow, Arkansas · Country Air Estates · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA22 150, built 1957 · all PA22s on the register
- Registration
- N7337D · no longer on the register · serial 22-5126
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported the takeoff and initial climb into the traffic pattern were uneventful. However, the engine began to run rough while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. The pilot immediately changed the fuel selector from the right tank to the left tank, verified that the carburetor heat was on, and turned the airplane toward the runway. The pilot’s efforts to restore engine power were not successful. The airplane was not able to glide to the runway, and the pilot executed a forced landing into a wooded area. Postaccident examination revealed that the left fuel tank was intact and the right fuel tank appeared to be compromised. A distinct fuel odor was present at the accident site and fuel was observed leaking from the left tank. The engine carburetor bowl contained minimal fuel, and the carburetor accelerator pump did not contain any fuel. No other anomalies with respect to the engine were observed. The pilot recalled that the left and right fuel tanks contained about 4 gallons and 7 gallons, respectively, before takeoff. While it is possible that the pilot’s decision to change to the tank containing less fuel resulted in unporting of the fuel tank inlet and the subsequent loss of engine power, the investigation was unable to determine the reason for the loss of power or the initial engine roughness.
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 downwind)
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Unknown or undetermined during unknown defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 259 hours in all; 128 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,429.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2022; 0.8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1AR9 Lonoke AR at 10:35 pm
- Destination: 1AR9 Lonoke AR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 3,800 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from LIT, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on June 14, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Supplemental Pilot Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Examination Summary | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Conversation Summary -- Recovery Operator | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Statement -- Mechanic On-scene | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Maintenance Records -- Annual Inspection | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Accident Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.