Piper PA32 N4599X

Summary

On 19 April 2019 at about 18:26 local time, a Piper PA32 registered N4599X, operated by Star Marianas Air Inc, was involved in an accident near Saipan, United States. 4 people were 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.

Date

19 April 2019 at 18:26

Classification

Accident

Location

Saipan, United States

Nearest airport

Saipan International Airport (GSN)

Coordinates

15.1181, 145.7242

Aircraft

Piper PA32

Registration

N4599X

Category

Airplane

Year built

1975

Engines

1

Operator

Star Marianas Air Inc

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Saipan → Tinian Island

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

GAA19CA268

Nobody was injured.

The airplane’s collision with a bird during the initial climb, which resulted in the engine cowling separating and impacting the empennage.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The operator reported that, during the initial climb, about 1,500 ft, the pilot and passengers reported hearing and feeling an impact. Subsequently, the upper left engine cowling separated and struck the windshield. The pilot declared an emergency, returned to the departure airport, and landed without further incident. Postaccident examination revealed traces of blood on the propeller, the left wing leading edge, and the vertical stabilizer leading edge. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, which was consistent with impact damage from the separated engine cowling. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.