# Accident 20210529007079A: Piper PA-32-260, Flint, MI, May 29, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 29, 2021, 09:12 local time
- Place: Flint, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.9704° N, 83.7459° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9704&lon=-83.7459&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3992W, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3992W-2021-09-27) (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: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 330 total, 150 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN21LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA247) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210529007079A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT DEPARTED FLINT AIRPORT (KFNT) TO A LOCAL PRACTICE AREA FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRACTICING MANEUVERS. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES HE RETURNED TO FLINT FOR PRACTICE TAKE OFF/LANDINGS. DURING THE INITIAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 9, THE PILOT'S ALARM CLOCK WENT OFF TO REMIND HIM TO SWITCH FUEL TANKS. BECAUSE HE WAS LANDING HE CHOSE TO DEFER SWITCHING TANKS. HE THEN FORGOT ABOUT HIS FUEL STATE, CONTINUING TAKEOFF AND LANDING PRACTICE, ALTERNATING BETWEEN RUNWAYS 9 AND 36. ON THE THIRD TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 36, THE ENGINE FAILED PRIOR TO REACHING PATTERN ALTITUDE. THE PILOT DID NOT SWITCH FUEL TANKS AT THAT POINT AND CHOSE TO EXECUTE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON RUNWAY 9. HE DETERMINED THAT HE WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE THE RUNWAY AND INSTEAD ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON PARALLEL TAXIWAY C. HE FLARED HIGH AND STALLED AT ABOUT 10 FEET ABOVE THE TAXIWAY, LEADING TO A HARD LANDING ON THE TAXIWAY WITH RESULTING GEAR COLLAPSE, AND DAMAGE TO THE WINGS AND FUSELAGE.

## 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 CEN21LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA247), May 29, 2021: Piper PA-32-260 (N3992W), Flint, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor his fuel quantity during flight which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

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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