Piper PA-28RT-201T N8446B accident near Baytown, Texas

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the subsequent impact with terrain.

NTSB analysis

About 30 minutes into the local flight, 5 to 7 miles east of the airport, the engine began to run rough. The pilot leaned the fuel mixture and the engine returned to a normal operating condition. A few minutes later the engine began to run rough again. The pilot enriched the fuel mixture, turned on the auxiliary fuel pump to the low position, and the engine returned to a normal operating condition. The pilot returned to the airport, entered a left downwind, and elected to fly a normal traffic pattern. When the airplane was on the final leg of the traffic pattern and about 1/2 to 1 mile from the airport, the engine lost total power. The pilot was unable to make the airport and executed a forced landing to an adjacent field. During the forced landing, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.

A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Due to impact related damage, the engine could not be functionally tested and the reason for the total loss of engine power was not determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA259 for the full record.