Comanche Sets Down On City Street

A Piper Comanche made an unscheduled exit in Overland Park (KS) early Tuesday morning, much to the surprise of those who were supposed to be on the road.

The 1959 Comanche, N-5844P, apparently lost power at around 12:15 am (CDT). Local media reports say the pilot, from Olathe (KS) and the passenger were on a trip from Ohio to New Century Air Center near Gardner (KS).

The two people on board weren't hurt, but the aircraft itself was seriously damaged when it landed at Nall Avenue and 128th St. That's about 14 miles short of the runway. The pilot reportedly told emergency responders his aircraft encountered a fuel problem.

FAA Preliminary Accident Report

IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 5844P        Make/Model: PA24      Description: PA-24 Comanche
  Date: 04/06/2004     Time: 0507

  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: None     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Substantial

LOCATION
  City: OLATHE                      State: KS   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  ACFT EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE AND MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A ROADWAY,
  OLATHE, KS

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Pass:   2      Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Grnd:           Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   

WEATHER: UNK                                                                        
                                                                                    
                                                        

OTHER DATA
  Activity: Unknown      Phase: Unknown      Operation: General Aviation

  Departed: NAPOLEAN, OH                Dep Date: 04/06/2004   Dep. Time:     
  Destination: OLATHE, KS               Flt Plan: VFR          Wx Briefing: U
  Last Radio Cont: 2 N OJC
  Last Clearance: 0504 RESUME OWN NAVIGATION

  FAA FSDO: WICHITA, KS  (CE07)                   Entry date: 04/06/2004

FMI: www.ntsb.gov