Piper PA-32-300 N44601

Summary

On 31 October 2023 at about 15:23 local time, a Piper PA-32-300 registered N44601 was involved in an accident near Marion, Ohio, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 October 2023 at 15:23

Classification

Accident

Location

Marion, Ohio, United States

Coordinates

40.5389, -83.1510

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-300

Registration

N44601

Category

Airplane

Year built

1974

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Columbus → Toledo

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA24FA026

2 people died.

A descent and impact with terrain for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Performance analysis of ADS-B data from the accident flight showed that about 20 minutes after departing, and while flying at an altitude of about 6,000 ft msl, the airplane’s speed began increasing, reaching a maximum of about 125 kts. After some subsequent variation between a low of 101 kts and a high of 120 kts, the airplane descended at a rate of 1,000 ft/min and an airspeed near 100 kts before the data ended. While the airplane’s descent and deceleration indicated a reduction in total energy consistent with a loss of thrust, it’s performance and speed were not consistent with a total loss of engine power, based on the airplane’s stated glide performance. Shortly before the airplane impacted terrain, a witness described that he heard the airplane flying in the distance and that the engine sounded like it was oscillating. He looked up and saw the airplane, before it began a left circling turn, with a “white mist” trailing it. He further stated that the engine “cut out” and the airplane went “nose down” and impacted the ground. Additionally, a residential video doorbell recorded the sound of the airplane before impact, and a sound spectrum analysis of the engine/propeller sound revealed that the engine rpm likely exceeded the rated speed of 2,700 rpm during the descent. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that a post-impact fire destroyed most of the airframe. The wreckage displayed damage consistent with the airplane having impacted the ground at the conclusion of a near vertical descent. Flight control continuity was established to all primary flight controls through frayed cables and fractured bell cranks, and no evidence was found to suggest that there was a mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane’s flight controls. Examination of the engine, which was limited by the extent of the thermal and impact-related damage, showed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. Based on the available information, the reason for the airplane’s descent and impact with terrain could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.