# Accident 20171214023109A: Piper PA-32-300, Hanesville, GA, December 14, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 14, 2017, 08:47 local time
- Place: Hanesville, GA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 31.8883° N, 81.5617° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8883&lon=-81.5617&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4326X, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4326X-2021-01-09) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-300 (registry code 7103212, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (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-32-300
- Reported engine: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 200 total, 100 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR18LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA051) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171214023109A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT DEPARTED FROM METTER, GA ENROUTE TO WRIGHT ARMY AIRFIELD TO PICK UP THREE PASSENGERS. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH INTO WRIGHT, THE PILOT FELT A SHUTTER AND A BANG. THE WINDSCREEN WAS FILLED WITH OIL AND HE COULD NOT SEE OUT. HE ALSO FELT A LOSS OF POWER. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO THE FOREST, APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A FEW TREE TOPS AND THEN PROCEEDED TO IMPACT A FEW MORE TREES WHICH TORE THE RIGHT WING TIP AND FINALLY THE RIGHT WING COMPLETELY OFF THE FUSELAGE. THIS, IN TURN, SENT THE AIRCRAFT SIDEWAYS, INTO A TREE. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE FINAL TREE ABOUT 15? ABOVE THE GROUND AND WITH THE BELLY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE EMPENNAGE. THE REST OF THE AIRCRAFT WRAPPED ITSELF AROUND THE TREE WHERE THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST, UPSIDE DOWN WITH THE COCKPIT INTACT AND THE ENGINE STILL ATTACHED TO THE FIRE WALL AND COCKPIT. THE PROPELLER WAS ALSO STILL ATTACHED AND THE BLADES WERE NOT DAMAGED. TWO BLADES COULD BE SEEN. THE THIRD BLADE WAS IN THE GROUND AND COULD NOT BE SEEN.

WE WERE ABLE TO LATER IDENTIFY THAT THE ENGINE HAD FAILED AND CAME APART AT THE NUMBER 4 PISTON ROD AND ROD CAP.

## 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 WPR18LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA051), Dec 14, 2017: Piper PA 32-300 (N4326X), Hinesville, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to the failure of a connecting rod.

## Other reports on N4326X (1)

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

- [Incident 19800207020879I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800207020879I), Feb 7, 1980: Piper PA32300 (N4326X), Woodburn, IN. Aircraft lost power. Throttle arm on fuel injector was loose as a result of serration wear.

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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