# Accident 20240930015709A: Piper PA-32-300, Pierz, MN, September 30, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 30, 2024, 13:20 local time
- Place: Pierz, MN
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.9698° N, 94.1176° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9698&lon=-94.1176&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2032M, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2032M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-300 (registry code 7103212, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540 series (registry code 41530, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-540 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 700 total, 288 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN24LA376](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA376) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240930015709A

## Narrative

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

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PIC CLIMBED TO CRUISE ALTITUDE AND SWITCHED FUEL TANKS. APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES LATER THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND LOOSING POWER. THE PIC TURNED ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP, NOTIFIED ATC OF THE PROBLEM AND DIVERTED TO THE CLOSEST AIRPORT. THE PIC REALIZED HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAKE THE AIRPORT, SO HE IDENTIFIED A ROAD FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING AND DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. THE PIC WAS ABLE TO LAND ON ROAD BUT TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC TURNED INTO THE DITCH ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A MILE MARKER SIGN BEFORE COMING TO REST WITH THE NOSE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR TORN OFF THE AIRFRAME.

## 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 CEN24LA376](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA376), Sep 30, 2024: Piper PA-32-300 (N2032M), Pierz, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

## Other reports on N2032M (2)

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

- [Accident 19880417052719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880417052719A), Apr 17, 1988: Piper PA32300 (N2032M), Fort Myers, FL, Substantial damage. Lost electric power due to broken altenator belt. Damaged wing spar on landing. PIC fixed alternator. Continued flt
- [Accident 19800610022229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800610022229A), Jun 10, 1980: Piper PA32300 (N2032M), Louisville, KY, Substantial damage. Aircraft bounced several times during landing and nose gear collapsed.

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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