Piper PA-32R-300 N38261
28 April 2001 · Wilmington, North Carolina, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 28 April 2001 at about 15:12 local time, a Piper PA-32R-300 registered N38261 was involved in an accident near Wilmington, North Carolina, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 15:12
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
- Nearest airport
- New Hanover International (ILM)
- Coordinates
- 34.2704, -77.9591
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-300
- Registration
- N38261
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Newport News → Wilmington
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- MIA01LA136
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Probable cause
A total loss of engine power due to the failure of maintenance to properly secure the fuel selector cover, resulting in the pilot inadvertently selecting "off" instead of "left" tank, and the subsequent forced landing to uneven terrain.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Within 3 miles of landing, as the pilot was completing his before landing check list, the engine surged to 2,700 rpm two or three times, and then stopped developing power, completely. The pilot thought his best alternative was a forced landing to a corn field, which was accomplished but the airframe sustained substantial damage. Post crash examination by FAA inspectors revealed adequate fuel was aboard. Examination of engine, fuel, ignition, and airframe components revealed the fuel selector cover assembly was loose, missing mounting screws, and had shifted aft of its designed position. Such a repositioning would render the mechanical safety stop that would prevent an inadvertent switch to "off" inoperative. A search of the aircraft maintenance logs revealed an entry where the aircraft seats, door panels, plastic, and carpeting were removed for replacement or cleaning.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-32R accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Sep 2001 | Piper PA-32R-301 | Byhalia, Mississippi, United States | Mark D. Valentino | Fatal | 2 |
| 9 Mar 2001 | Piper PA-32R-300 | Essex, California, United States | Jay Black | Fatal | 2 |
| 7 Sep 2001 | Piper PA-32R-301T | Downers Grove, Illinois, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 25 Jul 2001 | Piper PA-32R-301T | Sandy Hook, New Jersey, United States | William L. Teubner | No injuries | - |
| 21 Sep 2001 | Piper PA-32R-301 | Waco, Texas, United States | Michael L. Oatman | No injuries | - |
| 22 Jun 2001 | Piper PA-32R-301 | Greenwich, Connecticut, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Jul 2001 | Piper PA-46-350P | Black Mountain, North Carolina, United States | William C. Plate | Fatal | 1 |
| 7 Nov 2001 | Cessna 310Q | Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States | Allen W. Watson | Fatal | 1 |
| 16 Jun 2001 | Cessna 150L | Manteo, North Carolina, United States | Kitty Hawk Aero Tours | Fatal | 1 |
| 6 Sep 2001 | North American P51-D | Lincolnton, North Carolina, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 15 Sep 2001 | Cessna T-210F | Hendersonville, North Carolina, United States | Samuel J. Johnson | Fatal | 1 |
| 18 Nov 2001 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C | Southern Pines, North Carolina, United States | William K. Johnson | No injuries | - |