# Accident 20040909026109A: Piper PA32R300, Encino, TX, September 9, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 9, 2004, 06:14 local time
- Place: Encino, TX
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: MMPA
- Location: 26.9656° N, 98.2508° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.9656&lon=-98.2508&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6209J, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6209J-2005-07-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32R-300 (registry code 7103213, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TI0-540 series (registry code 41533, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32R300
- Reported engine: LYC IO540K1G5D
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 2,304 total, 320 in this make and model, 210 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW04FA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA235) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040909026109A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATED BY SAN ANTONIO PIPER INC. (MMPA488G) AS A CFR PART 135 ON DEMAND CARGO AND WAS IFR ENROUTE FROM SAN ANTONIO STINSON (SSF) TO MCALLEN, TEXAS (MFE). NEAR FALFURRIAS, TEXAS, THE PILOT ADVISED HOUSTON CENTER THAT HE LOST THE VACUUM PUMP AND MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE IFR. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER HE REQUESTED TO DIVERT TO BROOKS COUNTY AIRPORT (FALFURRIAS, TEXAS). ACCORDING TO HOUSTON CENTER, RADAR DATE INDICATES THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN A LEFT TURN AND DESCENDED FROM 4600 FEET TO 300 FEET IN APPROXIMATELY 36 SECONDS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE PILOT SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES. ON SITE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT WING, VERTICAL STABILIZER, AND BOTH STABILATORS SEPARATED BEFORE IMPACT.

## 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 FTW04FA235](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA235), Sep 9, 2004: Piper PA-32R-300 (N6209J), Rachel, TX, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The total failure of the vacuum pump that resulted in an inoperative attitude gyro and spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of aircraft control by the pilot. Factors were; the prevailing…

## Other reports on N6209J (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19990826027369I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990826027369I), Aug 26, 1999: Piper PA32R300 (N6209J), San Antonio, TX, Minor damage. (-23) During takeoff roll, runway 14SSF, aircraft struck a dog with the nose gear and propellor, subsequently the nose gear collapsed allowing the propeller to…

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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