Piper PA-34-200 accident near Coldspring, Texas, May 3, 2023
On May 3, 2023 at about 6:29 pm local time, a 1973 Piper PA-34-200, registered N28HE, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Coldspring, Texas. It was an instructional 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 stabilator trim rod assembly separated from the stabilator link assembly due to a missing connecting bolt, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain pitch control of the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 3, 2023 · about 6:29 pm local time
- Place
- Coldspring, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-34-200, built 1973 · all PA-34-200s on the register
- Registration
- N28HE · no longer on the register · serial 34-7350278
- 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 examiner, following steep turn maneuvers, they heard a loud “pop” from the tail of the airplane, the nose abruptly pitched up, and the airplane entered an accelerated stall. He took control of the airplane and added power to recover from the stall, at which time they heard another loud bang and the nose of the airplane pitched abruptly down. He reduced power to idle, there was another bang, and once again, the airplane pitched up uncontrollably. This time he did not add power and the nose of the airplane pitched down, but not as severely and he was able to use the engine power to dampen the pitch oscillations. Unable to maintain full control of the airplane, he elected for an emergency, off-airport landing. The airplane contacted trees while on approach to the field. The airplane landed hard, bounced, and slid through a rough, muddy field, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and empennage. A postaccident examination revealed that the bolt that connects the stabilator trim rod assembly to the stabilator link assembly was missing and not located. Since the bolt was not recovered, the reason for the separation could not be determined. Without being able to determine the reason for the separation, the flight school proactively inspected all same model airplanes in their fleet and replaced the bolt on each of them.
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
- Flight control sys malf/fail during maneuvering defining event
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering
- Off-field or emergency landing during maneuvering
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Elevator tab control system › Not installed/available
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (waiver time limited special)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Last flight review: August 5, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 7, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 4,200 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming IO360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming LIO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Wings Over Texas Holdings LLC
The flight
- Departed from: KCXO Conroe TX at 5:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from KCXO, 5 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCXO 031753Z 10008KT 1OSM FEW040 28/18 A2996 RMKAO2 SLPI41 T02780178 10278 20167 58017
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on October 5, 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/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Personnel Interview Summary | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | 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.