# Accident 20111231030349A: Piper PA-32-260, Elk Rapids, MI, December 31, 2011

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 31, 2011, 12:20 local time
- Place: Elk Rapids, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 44.9089° N, 85.4100° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9089&lon=-85.4100&mi=10
- Aircraft: N997TB, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N997TB-2012-11-28) (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 PA-32-260
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 5
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 6,045 total, 734 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN12LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA118) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111231030349A

## Narrative

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

ON 12/31/2011 AT 1150 LOCAL TIME A CFR PART 91 PLEASURE FLIGHT DEPARTED KTVC FOR A LOCAL SIGHT SEEING FLIGHT.  PILOT STATED DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND VIBRATED.  PILOT EXECUTED EMERGENCY CHECKLIST THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO VIBRATE AND WORSEN OVER TIME.  PILOT CONTACTED KTVC TOWER NOTIFYING ATC OF POWER LOSS.  THE PILOT SELECTED A FIELD NEARBY AND EXECUTED A  LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN A WOODED AREA AT END OF FIELD IMPACTING TREES.  PILOT AND PASSENGERS EXITED AIRCRAFT WITH NO ASSISTANCE.  ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A MINOR INJURY.

## 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 CEN12LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA118), Dec 31, 2011: Piper PA-32-260 (N997TB), Elk Rapids, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to the failure of the exhaust valve.

## Other reports on N997TB (1)

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

- [Incident 19900803054549I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900803054549I), Aug 3, 1990: Piper PA32260 (N997TB), Westhampton, NY, Minor damage. Engine failed after takeoff. Emergency landing in a field.

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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