Piper PA-28-180 N6492J accident near Streetman, Texas

Probable cause

The airplane’s inability to establish a climb for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a collision with trees.

NTSB analysis

The pilot and two passengers departed a private airstrip on a cross-country flight. Shortly after departure, the pilot perceived that the engine was not producing power. The pilot checked the throttle, mixture, and electric fuel pump; however, the airplane descended into trees near the runway. The pilot stated that he believed a windshear gust took lift from the airplane or that the engine lost compression or stopped producing power. He further stated that the engine was running, but it felt as if the throttle had been pulled off. A postcrash fire consumed much of the fuselage and thermally damaged the engine, which precluded a detailed examination of the ignition and fuel systems. The airplane impacted several trees during the accident. A small tree, about 4 inches in diameter, appeared to be sheared in two by the propeller. The marks and cuts at the accident site, as well as physical signatures on the propeller blades, were consistent with the engine producing power at the time of the accident. The reason for the airplane’s descent into the trees was not determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11LA308 for the full record.