# Incident 20171126022049I: Piper PA-32R-300, Fargo, ND, November 26, 2017

- Type: FAA incident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 26, 2017, 15:00 local time
- Place: Fargo, ND
- Airport: Hector International
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 46.9206° N, 96.8157° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HECTOR INTL (FAR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9206&lon=-96.8157&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5868V, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5868V) (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: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 510 total, 57 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171126022049I

## Narrative

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

ON NOVEMBER 26, 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 1400 CDT, THE PIPER PA-32R-300 WAS INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT INVOLVING THE FAILURE OF THE UPPER ENGINE COWLING DURING A FLIGHT FROM BEULAH ND (95D) TO FARGO ND (FAR).  WHILE ON DESCENT AND LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES WEST OF FAR (6300 FT. AND AT 146 KTS) MOST OF THE UPPER ENGINE COWLING WAS LIBERATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE PROPELLER, WINDSCREEN AND STABILATOR.  ONLY A NARROW PIECE OF THE UPPER COWLING WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE LOWER COWL BY THE TWO FASTENERS ON THE PILOT?S SIDE.

THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND WAS ABLE TO LAND AT FAR WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES.  NO EVIDENCE OF A BIRD STRIKE WAS NOTED.

## Other reports on N5868V (2)

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

- [Accident 20100426033409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100426033409A), Apr 26, 2010: Piper PA-32R-300 (N5868V), Jamestown, ND, Substantial damage. Pilot stated he failed to extend the undercarriage prior to landing.
- [Incident 19930227008529I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930227008529I), Feb 27, 1993: Piper PA32R300 (N5868V), Sidney, NE, Minor damage. Pilot lost control of aircraft on takeoff roll. Ran off side of runway into the snow.

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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