Piper PA-36-300 accident near Andrews, Texas, February 22, 1996
On February 22, 1996 at about 3:15 pm local time, a Piper PA-36-300, registered N57828, was substantially damaged in an accident near Andrews, Texas (Andrews County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the mechanic's improper overhaul of the engine. Factors were: the pilot in command's inability to maintain visual lookout due to oil on the windscreen and unsuitable 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
- February 22, 1996 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- Andrews, Texas · Andrews County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-36-300 · all PA-36-300s on the register
- Registration
- N57828 · no longer on the register · serial 36-7760002
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was on its first flight after an engine overhaul. Shortly after takeoff, the engine blew oil onto the pilot's windshield. The pilot shut down the engine and turned back toward the airport. The airplane was unable to make the runway and landed in a rough field. An engine teardown revealed that an incorrect crankshaft oil seal had been installed during the overhaul, and the seal had become dislodged during the flight. In addition, cranshaft and crankcase damage was found, and the damage was determined to be the result of misalignment of the crankcase halves during a previous modification.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 7,768 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 7,467 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,370 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 20, 1996; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,400 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: E11 at 3:15 pm
- Destination: E11
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.