# Accident 20150426004529A: Piper PA-32R-300, Knoxville, TN, April 26, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 26, 2015, 17:00 local time
- Place: Knoxville, TN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.6967° N, 83.5344° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6967&lon=-83.5344&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2269M, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2269M) (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 PA-32R-300
- Reported engine: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 415 total, 250 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA15CA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA051) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150426004529A

## Narrative

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

THE PIC^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ STATED HE AND HIS PASSENGER DEPARTED HILTON HEAD, SC.  TO HIS HOME AIRPORT, DOWNTOWN ISLAND KNOXVILLE TN (DKX).  THE PIC  HAD FILED AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN AND STATED THEY WERE IN THE CLOUDS THE ENTIRE TRIP.  DURING DESCENT THE AIRCRAFT CROSSED OVER A MOUNTAIN RANGE FROM 9000'MSL TO 7000', AS INSTRUCTED.  THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED SEVERE TURBULENCE AND PILOT STATED IT HAPPENED INSTANTAIOUSLY.  THE AIRCRAFT WENT INVERTED AND HIS AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENTS "TUMBLED".  HE RECOVERED BUT DID NOT REMEMBER HOW.  DURING THIS RECOVERY, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVERSTRESSED.

THE WINGS WERE DAMAGED (WRINKLED) AND THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY THE FAA.

## 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 GAA15CA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA051), Apr 26, 2015: Piper PA 32R-300 (N2269M), Gatlinburg, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's encounter with extreme turbulence during descent over mountainous terrain, which resulted in a loss of control, and structural damage in flight.

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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