# Accident 20210828016509A: Piper PA-32-260, Spartanburg, SC, August 28, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 28, 2021, 12:40 local time
- Place: Spartanburg, SC
- Airport: Spartanburg Downtown Memorial/Simp
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.9164° N, 81.9558° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9164&lon=-81.9558&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3862W, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3862W-2023-08-05) (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: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 3
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor, student
- Pilot flight hours: 919 total, 114 in this make and model, 238 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA21LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA344) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210828016509A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT DEPARTED SPA FOR PART 91 INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT. AFTER A 2.3 HOUR FLIGHT THE ENGINE QUIT AND CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA A MILE FORM THE THE SPA AIRPORT

## 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 ERA21LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA344), Aug 28, 2021: Piper PA32 (N3862W), Spartanburg, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.

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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