Piper PA-32RT N4321M

Summary

On 29 June 2022 at about 15:45 local time, a Piper PA-32RT registered N4321M was involved in an accident near Wilmington, North Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 June 2022 at 15:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

Nearest airport

Pilots Ridge (03NC)

Coordinates

34.1042, -77.9003

Aircraft

Piper PA-32RT

Registration

N4321M

Category

Airplane

Year built

1979

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA22LA366

1 person had minor injuries.

A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was departing for a local flight, and following an uneventful preflight inspection, runup, and taxi, he began the takeoff. About 3 to 5 seconds into the initial climb the engine sustained a partial loss of power and the pilot elected to land straight ahead on the remaining runway. The runway was wet, and the airplane exited the departure end of the runway, coming to rest in a small retention pond. The pilot received minor injuries, the passenger was not injured, and the airplane’s right wing was substantially damaged. A postaccident examination of the engine found no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation and the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.