Piper PA-32RT-300T accident near Cookson, Oklahoma, June 29, 2008
On June 29, 2008 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, registered N132RR, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Cookson, Oklahoma (Snake Creek Wilderness airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2008 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Cookson, Oklahoma · Snake Creek Wilderness · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32RT-300T · all PA-32RT-300Ts on the register
- Registration
- N132RR · registry record · serial 32R-7987098
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Moments after the single-engine airplane became airborne, the pilot observed a partial loss of engine power. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted into trees beyond the departure end of the runway. The airplane came to rest nose pointing skyward in a tree. There was no post crash fire and all three occupants were able to exit the airplane unassisted. The onsite investigation revealed that the propeller had sliced into a tree in a manner consistent with the engine producing power at the time of impact. There were no reported abnormalities with the flight controls. The reason for the reported partial loss of engine power was not 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
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Ability to respond/compensate
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 100 hours in all; 27 in this make and model; 70 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 65 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 13, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,127 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Lance Land Services LLC
The flight
- Departed from: OK06 Cookson OK at 10:00 pm
- Destination: PWA Oklahoma City OK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 03, 2,840 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from MKO, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.