# Accident 20151023017909A: Piper PA-32-260, Bluemont, VA, October 23, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 23, 2015, 15:30 local time
- Place: Bluemont, VA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.0867° N, 77.8161° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0867&lon=-77.8161&mi=10
- Aircraft: N43249, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43249-2016-06-29) (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: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 3,200 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA16LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA022) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151023017909A

## Narrative

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

AT APPROXIMATELY 1520 ON OCT 23, THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED FROM UPPERVILLE, VA (2VG2) ENROUTE BELMAR, NJ (KBLM). WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 4500 FT FOR 7500FT THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE, FOLLOWED BY VIBRATIONS. THERE WAS A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE AND THEN THE ENGINE STOPPED.

THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE POTOMAC TRACON, THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE CLOSEST AIRPORT WAS LEESBURG (KJYO). HOWEVER DUE TO LOSS OF POWER THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO LAND THERE, SO THE PILOT BEGAN TO LOOK FOR A SUITABLE PLACE TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING.

HE OBSERVED AN OPEN FIELD AND PROCEEDED IN THAT DIRECTION. DUE TO A RAPID DESCENT AND AVOIDANCE OF POWER LINES, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT LANDED, IT?S RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND FIRST, THE  RIGHT LANDING GEAR BROKE OFF THEN THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE GROUND AND SLID INTO A FENCE CRASHING THROUGH IT AND BREAKING OFF THE RIGHT SIDE WING.  THE AIRCRAFT THEN MADE A 90 DEGREE TURN TO THE RIGHT AND STRUCK ANOTHER FENCE, WHERE THE LEFT WING WAS EMBEDDING INTO A FENCE POST.

BOTH THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED FROM THE CRASH.

## 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 ERA16LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA022), Oct 23, 2015: Piper PA-32-260 (N43249), Bluemont, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power as a result of the separation of the No. 5 connecting rod for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

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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