Piper PA-32-301T N588ET

Summary

On 26 August 2012 at about 04:45 local time, a Piper PA-32-301T registered N588ET was involved in an accident near South Lake Tahoe, California, United States. 5 people were on board and 5 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 August 2012 at 04:45

Classification

Accident

Location

South Lake Tahoe, California, United States

Nearest airport

Lake Tahoe Airport (TVL)

Coordinates

38.8939, -119.9953

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-301T

Registration

N588ET

Category

Airplane

Year built

1980

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

South Lake Tahoe → Fresno

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

WPR12FA369

5 people died.

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examinations revealed no evidence of mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation and the pilots’ decision to continue the departure in dark night conditions with the engine not producing full power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While taxiing to the ramp, the airplane's engine shut down, and it took the pilots numerous attempts to restart it. After parking, the pilots reported to the attendants that the airplane's fuel/air mixture was difficult to establish at such a high-density altitude and that, if the engine was operated too lean, its temperature exceeded normal operation parameters. Later that day, the pilots departed in dark night conditions. During the takeoff roll, most of the runway length was used before the airplane began to climb. Several witnesses reported that the airplane appeared to be having engine problems and, after being airborne for about 3 seconds, it descended into terrain. Additionally, some witnesses reported that the engine sounded as if it was not producing full power and that the ascent seemed labored. The airplane impacted trees located on flat terrain about 2,400 feet from the end of the runway. The main wreckage was consumed by postimpact fire. Examination of the accident site revealed that the right wing impacted a tree in a wings-level attitude. The postaccident examinations revealed no evidence of mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Although it could not be confirmed, it is likely that the left-seat pilot was the flying pilot and that the right-seat pilot, who owned the airplane and had been consuming alcohol before the flight, was not the pilot-in-command.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.