# NTSB CEN22LA247: Piper PA-32R-301, N416TS, Olla, LA, June 9, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 9, 2022, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Olla, LA
- Coordinates: 31.5336, -92.66 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5336&lon=-92.6600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105260
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA247
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105260/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105260
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA247

## Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While enroute on a cross-country flight, an aural alarm sounded that indicated the oil pressure was low. The pilot turned to the nearest airport for a precautionary landing and attempted to troubleshoot the issue, but the engine remained very “sluggish.” While maneuvering toward the airport the pilot could not maintain altitude and made an off-field landing into a field about 7.5 miles from the airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and forward section of the fuselage during the forced landing. No preimpact anomalies were found with the airframe, fuel-injected engine, or engine oil system that would have precluded normal operations. The engine had continuity throughout its drive system. The engine controls were connected and secured from the cockpit to the engine and the oil and fuel lines were connected and secured. The engine oil cooler and associated oil lines did not show any evidence of oil leakage. Oil was present in the oil lines, engine oil sump, and oil pump. The oil pump turned freely with no binding. The reason for the low oil pressure warning and the subsequent partial loss of engine power could not be determined.

## Factual narrative

On June 9, 2022, about 1545 central standard time, a Piper PA32R-301 airplane, N416TS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Olla, Louisiana. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was flying under visual flight rules (VFR) from Union Parish Airport (F87), Farmerville, Louisiana, to Houma, Louisiana, with VFR flight following services provided by air traffic control. While enroute at 3,000 ft above mean sea level, an aural alarm sounded that indicated the oil pressure was low. He turned to the nearest airport for a precautionary landing and attempted to troubleshoot the issue, but the engine remained very “sluggish.” While maneuvering toward Olla Municipal Airport (L47), Olla, Louisiana, he could not maintain altitude and made an off-field landing into a field located about 7.5 miles east of L47. The airplane sustained damage to the right wing and forward section of the fuselage during the forced landing. The airplane wreckage was transported to a secure facility in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for further examination. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies with the airframe, engine, or engine oil system. The engine controls were found connected and secured from the cockpit to the engine. The engine had continuity throughout its drive system; suction and compression were verified on all cylinders. The left and right magnetos were tested and produced spark to their respective spark plugs leads. The fuel servo fuel screen was clean and free of debris. The fuel injection distribution block was intact and had a small amount of fuel in it. The engine-driven fuel pump operated when tested. The oil and fuel lines were found connected and secured. Examination of the engine oil cooler and associated oil lines did not reveal any evidence of oil leakage. Oil was present in the oil lines, engine oil sump, and oil pump. The oil pump turned freely with no binding.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N416TS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N416TS), registered now, S/N 3246100, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-301
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301) (registry code 7103218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3246100
- Year built: 1998
- Airframe hours: 2128
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2022
- Departed: F87, Farmerville, LA
- Destination: HUM, Houma, LA
- Airport: L47, Olla Municipal
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 198 total, 107 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: KMLU, 67 nm away
- METAR: KMLU 0920532 01006KT IOSM CLR 33/20 A2996 RMK AO2 SLPl44 T03330200 56021

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20220609012089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220609012089A), Jun 9, 2022: Piper PA-32R-301, Olla, LA, Substantial damage. Level off to 5500 ft. low oil pressure alarm sounded, verified low oil pressure indicated on gauge. Engine begin to run rough. Aircraft would no maintain level…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 25, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105260. 7.0 MB in all.

- NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16974211&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN22LA247_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Aircraft examination (item 2, PDF, 8 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16979611&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Aircraft%20Examination%20CEN22LA247-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16974469&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20CEN22LA247-Rel.pdf

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.

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