# Accident 20011104030959A: Piper PA32260, Avalon, CA, November 4, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 4, 2001, 16:50 local time
- Place: Avalon, CA
- Airport: Catalina Airport
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.5850° N, 118.4172° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5850&lon=-118.4172&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3516W, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3516W-2017-07-07) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-260 (registry code 7103206, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32260
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX02LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA022) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011104030959A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) AFTER TAKEOFF FROM CATALINA AIRPORT (KAVX) AND DEPARTING DOWNWIND, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO FLUTTER WITH SEVERAL METAL TO METAL SOUNDS AND WOULD NOT DEVELOP POWER AND FINALLY STOPPED. IT WAS NECESSARY TO DITCH AIRCRAFT IN THE OCEAN APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES NORTH OF THE COAST. THERE WERE TWO PASSENGERS ON BOARD AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. ALL OCCUPANTS WERE RESCUED BY A PRIVATE BOATER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LAYING IN APPROXIMATELY 35 FEET OF WATER UPSIDE DOWN WITH SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AS REPORTED BY A DIVER.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX02LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA022), Nov 4, 2001: Piper PA-32-260 (N3516W), Avalon, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the total loss of engine power during departure climb for undetermined reasons.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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