# Accident 20120214002979A: Piper PA-32-260, Amory, MS, February 14, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 14, 2012, 06:59 local time
- Place: Amory, MS
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.0806° N, 88.4942° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0806&lon=-88.4942&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3688W, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3688W-2017-09-26) (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: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 921 total, 53 in this make and model, 67 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA12LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA180) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120214002979A

## Narrative

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

02/14/2012- FSDO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION APPROXIMATELY 0800 HRS REGARDING A POSSIBLE DOWNED AIRCRAFT SOUTH OF TUPELO. APPROXIMATELY 1230 HRS THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED BY LOCAL SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS IN A HEAVILY WOODED AREA APPROXIMATELY 7 MILES NORTH OF AMORY, MS.02/15/2012- UPON ARRIVAL AT THE SCENE, ASI DISCOVERED THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT HAD COME TO REST IN AN INVERTED POSITION. THE AIRCRAFT HAD COME THRU THE TREETOPS EVIDENCED BY SIGNS OF BROKEN TREE LIMBS AND PAINT CHIPS FORMING A DEBRIS PATH OF AN APPROXIMATE LENGTH OF 75 YARDS. THE AIRCRAFT HAD SIGNS OF DAMAGE ALONG ALL EXTERNAL SURFACES, FUEL TANKS WERE RUPTURED FROM IMPACT WITH TREES AND GROUND. AIR TRAFFIC TAPES INDICATED THE PILOT STATED HE WAS LOW ON FUEL AND APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES LATER HE HAD LOST HIS ENGINE. THIS IS CONFIRMED BY THE PILOT'S STATEMENT.

## 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 ERA12LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA180), Feb 14, 2012: Piper PA-32-260 (N3688W), Amory, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight planning and decision-making, including his inadequate weather evaluation and his delayed diversion to a closer airport, which resulted in a total loss…

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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