NTSB Factual Report

On April 29, 2002, at 1630 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 single-engine airplane, N6303W, was destroyed when the airplane impacted the ground during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Owasso, Oklahoma. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The commercial pilot was seriously injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation photo flight. The local flight originated from the Gundys Airport, Owasso, at 1610.

The 1,543-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that after departure from Gundys Airport, he flew around the area so his passenger could take aerial photographs of a baseball field. Subsequently, the engine lost power and he initiated a forced landing to a golf course.

The pilot reported in an interview, with an FAA inspector who responded to the accident site, that when he was "committed" to land on the golf course, he noticed several berms on the fairway. The airplane impacted the top of a 6-foot tall berm sheering off the left main landing gear, and then became airborne. Approximately 129 feet after the initial impact, the airplane settled back onto the ground and bounced again striking the edge of the green and impacting trees. The airplane came to rest in the upright position and was consumed by a post-impact fire.

According to a witness at the airport, the airplane was observed taking off with "cowl plugs" still installed on the airplane.

An on scene inspection by an FAA inspector who responded to the accident site, located the engine cowl plugs prior to the green.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power as a result of the pilot's failure to remove the engine cowling plugs during the preflight inspection. A contributing factor was lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.