Piper PA-32R-300 accident near Dry Prong, Louisiana, October 22, 2006
On October 22, 2006 at about 9:48 pm local time, a Piper PA-32R-300, registered N64GK, was substantially damaged in an accident near Dry Prong, Louisiana. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed, 3 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to oil starvation, resulting in an emergency off-airport forced landing. A factor associated with the accident was the instructor's improper in-flight decision in delaying to seek an emergency landing site following a loss of oil pressure indication.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 22, 2006 · about 9:48 pm local time
- Place
- Dry Prong, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed, 3 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-300 · all PA-32R-300s on the register
- Registration
- N64GK · registry record · serial 32R7780327
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor was acting as pilot-in-command of the cross-country flight in the student pilot's airplane with the student and three passengers. The instructor related that the engine oil level prior to departure was 9 quarts, and that the oil on the dipstick was clean. While in cruise flight, the low oil pressure warning light flickered, and the oil pressure dropped. The instructor elected to continue the flight after a discussion with the student pilot, and after monitoring other engine gauges and determining that the engine was running smoothly. About 20 minutes later, the engine made a "slight clatter noise" and the instructor elected to divert to a closer airport. Shortly thereafter, there was a loud "bang" and the engine seized. A forced landing was made to a small pasture, during which the airplane collided with a fence and trees. Inspection of the airplane revealed no oil on the top of the cowling and windshield. Oil was found on the bottom of the cowling and in trail on the bottom of the fuselage. Examination of the engine disclosed evidence of internal catastrophic failure consistent with a lack of sufficient lubrication.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,000 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 7,600 as pilot in command; 700 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 91 hours in all
- Last flight review: August 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,618.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2006; 63.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PLK Point Lookout MO at 7:50 pm
- Destination: AEX Alexandria LA
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from AEX
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 3 |
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.