Piper PA-32RT-300T N36315

Summary

On 15 November 2002 at about 17:50 local time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T registered N36315, operated by David Stilley, was involved in an accident near Longville, Minnesota, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 November 2002 at 17:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Longville, Minnesota, United States

Nearest airport

Longville Municipal Airport (XVG)

Coordinates

46.9900, -94.2039

Aircraft

Piper PA-32RT-300T

Registration

N36315

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

David Stilley

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Longville → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI03LA023

2 people were seriously injured.

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the unsuitable terrain/landing area encountered by the pilot during a forced landing. The low altitude at the time of power loss was a contributing factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff. The pilot stated that while climbing through an altitude of 300 feet above ground level, there was an abrupt loss of engine power without any backfiring. After the power loss, the pilot reportedly switched fuel tanks, confirmed the electric fuel pump switch was on, and confirmed that the magnetos switch was in the both position. The airplane then impacted a down sloping wooded area severing both wings and stabilizer surfaces from the airplane. Inspection of the cockpit noted that the flap handle was in the 0 degree flap position, the ignition switch was in the both position, and the fuel selector was on the left fuel tank. Examination of the wreckage revealed the presence of fuel within the lines leading to the engine driven pump, cylinder compression, engine continuity, and electrical continuity of the ignition system. No anomalies were noted with the engine driven fuel pump and servo. The pilot stated that he did not recall draining the fuel sumps before the flight, which is a listed preflight checklist item for the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.