Piper PA-34-220T accident near Mcalester, Oklahoma, November 27, 2002
On November 27, 2002 at about 10:04 pm local time, a Piper PA-34-220T, registered N699WG, was destroyed in an accident near Mcalester, Oklahoma (Mcalester Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 5 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain the airplane's minimum controllable airspeed during a single-engine go-around which resulted in his loss of control. Contributing factors to the accident included the loss of power from the left engine as a result of pre-ignition/detonation for undetermined reasons, the pilot exceeding the aircraft's maximum gross takeoff weight, and the pilot not adhering to published policies and procedures for a single-engine go-around.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 27, 2002 · about 10:04 pm local time
- Place
- Mcalester, Oklahoma · Mcalester Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 5 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-34-220T · all PA-34-220Ts on the register
- Registration
- N699WG · no longer on the register · serial 3449072
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot reported 10 miles out, and again 5 miles from the airport that he would be landing. There was no indication that the pilot was experiencing any problems, and winds were light and variable at the time of the accident. Witnesses at the airport reported observing the airplane at an altitude of 5 to 10 feet above the runway at midfield and fast on his approach. Witnesses were certain the left propeller was not turning, as well as reporting hearing power being added to the right engine as the pilot initiated a go-around. Witnesses also reported that the airplane went into a shallow nose up pitch attitude and also observed the landing gear retract. At approximately 200 feet agl it was observed that the airplane started a left turn toward rising terrain, then pitched up to approximately 15 degrees and enter a 30-degree bank to the left before doing a complete roll and impacting terrain in an open pasture. The reason for the left engine being shut down was not determined. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left propeller was feathered, both main landing gear were extended, and the flaps were retracted. The reason for the left engine being shut down was not determined. While it was calculated that the airplane was within its center of gravity limits for the flight, it was determined that upon arrival at the destination airport the aircraft was 160.4 pounds over its maximum gross certified weight. According to the pilot Operating Handbook, in the case of a one engine inoperative go-around the pilot is warned that it may be impossible to control the airplane when a sudden application of power is made. The pilot is further warned that a one engine go-around is not possible from the approach configuration, unless sufficient altitude is available to raise the flaps and gear in a descent. Additionally, the pilot is cautioned that a one engine go-around should be avoided if at all possible.
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: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,710 hours in all; 581 in this make and model
- Last flight review: October 5, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 681.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 2, 2002; 14.2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,750 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental TSIO-360-RB (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental TSIO-360-RB (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ADS Addison TX at 9:16 pm
- Destination: M58 Monett MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01, 5,602 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.35 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from MLC, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
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.