# Accident 20250413005739A: Piper PA-32-260, Green Valley, AZ, April 13, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 13, 2025, 13:42 local time
- Place: Green Valley, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 31.9032° N, 111.0786° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9032&lon=-111.0786&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3797W, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3797W) (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
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot, student
- Pilot flight hours: 248 total, 236 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR25LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA131) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250413005739A

## Narrative

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

ON APRIL 13, 2025, ABOUT 1342 MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME, A PIPER PA-32-260, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN IT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT NEAR GREEN VALLEY, ARIZONA. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT, WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 6,300 FT (MSL), ABOUT 20 MILES NORTH OF NOGALES, ARIZONA, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER SO HE SWITCHED FUEL TANKS. THE PILOT  TURNED ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP AND SWITCHED FUEL TANKS.  THE ENGINE SPUTTERING PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE, AND THE ENGINE POWER DEGRADED. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A CROSS WIND GUST AND BECAME AIRBORNE. THE AIRPLANE’S LEFT WING AND MAIN LANDING GEAR IMPACTED A DIRT BERM, WHICH COLLAPSED THE NOSE GEAR, DAMAGED THE LEFT WING LEADING EDGE, AND REMOVED THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. AIRCRAFT WAS DISMANTLED AND TRANSPORTED TO A STORAGE FACILITY WHERE IT WAS EXAMINED ON MAY 13, 2025.

THE OUTBOARD FUEL TANKS IN BOTH WINGS VISUALLY CONTAINED DIRT STAINS INDICATIVE OF NOT HAVING HAD FUEL IN THEM IN THE RECENT PAST.  ALL FOUR FUEL TANKS WERE CHECKED FOR LEAKS, WITH ONLY THE LEFT OUTBOARD FUEL TANK DRAIN FITTING LEAKING DUE TO GROUND CONTACT DAMAGE.  ALL FOUR FUEL TANK LINES WERE CHECKED FOR CONTINUITY FROM THE TANK THROUGH THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE TO THE CARBURETOR.   FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE CARBURETOR FILTER AND WAS BLUE WITH NO EVIDENCE OF WATER OR DEBRIS.

ENGINE WAS INSPECTED AND FOUND OPERATIONAL USING A LOANER PROPELLER FOR MAGNETO CHECKS AND FULL TAKE-OFF POWER.

## 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 WPR25LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA131), Apr 13, 2025: Piper PA-32-260 (N3797W), Green Valley, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total 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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