Piper PA-28-161, N54MC: Accident occurred May 06, 2021 at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (KDWH), Harris County, Texas

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Houston, Texas 

Hoffman Aviation Services LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N54MC

Location: Spring, TX

Accident Number: CEN21LA211

Date & Time: May 6, 2021, 17:07 Local

Registration: N54MC

Aircraft: Piper PA-28-161

Injuries: 2 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On May 6, 2021, about 1707 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28 airplane, N54MC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH), Spring, Texas. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

The flight instructor stated that during rollout of the full stop landing, he noticed a loss of engine power. After exiting the runway, the flight instructor restarted the engine and subsequently noticed a fire that produced smoke and extreme heat in the cabin compartment.

The flight instructor and student evacuated the airplane. Initial examination revealed a damaged engine mount and buckling of the engine firewall. 

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper 

Registration: N54MC

Model/Series: PA-28-161

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built: No

Operator:

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KDWH,152 ft msl

Observation Time: 16:53 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles

Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C /13°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 40°

Lowest Ceiling: None 

Visibility: 10 miles

Altimeter Setting: 30.11 inches Hg

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Departure Point: Spring, TX (DWH)

Destination: Spring, TX

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: On-ground

Ground Injuries:

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 2 None 

Latitude, Longitude: 30.061779,-95.552788 (est)