# Accident 20240728011999A: Piper PA-46-310P, Exeland, WI, July 28, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 28, 2024, 11:42 local time
- Place: Exeland, WI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.7330° N, 91.2619° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7330&lon=-91.2619&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4646G, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4646G-2026-05-02) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-46-310P (registry code 7104605, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-46-310p) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental TSIO-520-BE (registry code 17277, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-be) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-310P
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR TSIO-550-C
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,400 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN24LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA286) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240728011999A

## Narrative

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

AFTER A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PIC WAS INSTRUCTED BY ATC TO DESCEND FROM 6000 FEET TO 4000 FEET. THE PIC REDUCED POWER AND DESCENDED. WHEN THE TARGET ALTITUDE OF 4000 FEET WAS REACHED THE PIC REENGAGED THE AUTOPILOT AND ATTEMPTED TO ADD POWER TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE LEVELING OFF. THE PIC STATED THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND AND IT FELT LIKE THE THROTTLE WAS PULLED BACK TO IDLE. HE THEN ADVANCED THE MIXTURE TO FULL RICH, PROP FULL FORWARD FOR HIGH RPM AND ADVANCED THE THROTTLE WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE. HE THEN DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND LANDED GEAR UP IN A HAY FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT SLID OFF THE EDGE OF THE FIELD STRIKING A ROCK PILE CUTTING THROUGH THE FUSELAGE AFT OF THE REAR SEATS SEVERING RUDDER AND ELEVATOR CONTROL CABLES. AFTER PHOTOGRAPHING THE SCENE, THE TOP ENGINE COWLING WAS REMOVED, AND THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED FOR GENERAL CONDITION. NEAR THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE AT THE FUEL METERING VALVE THERE WAS BLUE STAINING NEAR A T-FITTING WITH SHINY THREADS SHOWING WHERE A CAP HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN INSTALLED. THE T-FITTING WAS IDENTIFIED AS A SERVICE PORT USED TO CONNECT A FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE TO MEASURE UNMETERED FUEL PRESSURE DURING MAINTENANCE. AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE RECORDS SHOW 45 DAYS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT (14 HOURS HOBBS TIME) THE AIRCRAFT HAD AN ANNUAL INSPECTION PERFORMED WHICH INCLUDED FUEL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE.

## 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 CEN24LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA286), Jul 28, 2024: Piper PA46 (N4646G), Radisson, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The non-certificated mechanic’s failure to properly tighten and torque the fuel system pressure test port cap, which resulted in a total loss of engine power, and a subsequent forced landing.

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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