N9347T

On August 7, 2003, at 2030 central daylight time, a Piper PA-38 single-engine airplane, N9347T, registered to and operated by private individuals, was destroyed during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power during descent near Granbury, Texas. The airline transport pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from San Marcos Municipal Airport (HYI), near San Marcos, Texas, at 1900, and was destined for the Pecan Plantation Airport (OTXI), near Granbury, Texas.

The 11,000-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that during a descent through 3,000 feet MSL the engine "ran rough for about 5 seconds, then went to 1,500 rpm." The pilot executed a forced landing into a nearby hay field, where the airplane landed hard and "flipped three times" coming to rest in an upright position.

The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the fuselage aft of the cockpit was separated and folded underneath the cockpit area and the right wing. The vertical and horizontal stabilizers were bent.

The wreckage of the aircraft was transported from the accident site to Southwest Texas Aviation, North Hangar, located in San Marcos, Texas, and examined by the FAA inspector. Engine continuity, compression and magnetos were checked and verified. The throttle and mixture were intact, and made full travel. The carburetor heat valve was intact; however, travel was partial due to the housing sliding in the clamp. The inspector was unable to verify if the fuel system was functional from the tank to the engine because the fuel had been removed. The owner of the aircraft stated to the inspector that all aspects of the fuel system were operating normally.

Maintenance records were reviewed and no anomalies noted. According to the aircraft's maintenance records, the most recent annual inspection was completed on July 14, 2003.