# NTSB ERA17LA100: Piper PA32R, N21HD, Friendly, MD, February 6, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 2017, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Friendly, MD
- Coordinates: 38.729999, -76.970001
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7300&lon=-76.9700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: NTSB, FAA/FSDO, Lycoming, Piper
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94688
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94688/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94688
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA100

## Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Findings

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

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-32R-301, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103218), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

After completing a preflight inspection of the airplane, the private pilot filled the fuel tanks and sampled the fuel, which exhibited no anomalies. Shortly after takeoff, about 1,000 ft above ground level, the engine experienced a total loss of power and the airplane was substantially damaged during the subsequent forced landing. A postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although the timing of both magnetos was found to be off, this discrepancy could have been a result of impact forces, since the engine ran smoothly before the loss of power.

## Factual narrative

On February 6, 2017, about 1100 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32R-301, N21HD, was substantially damaged during a forced landing during the initial climb after takeoff from Potomac Airfield (VKX), Friendly, Maryland. The private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed. The personal flight, destined for Newport State Airport (UUU), Newport, Rhode Island, was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.After completing a preflight inspection of the airplane, the pilot taxied to the self-serve fuel pumps and topped-off the fuel tanks. A few minutes later, he sampled the fuel tanks and reported the fuel was blue and free of contaminates. Shortly after takeoff, about 1,000 ft above ground level, the pilot reported the engine suddenly lost power and "went quiet." He attempted to restart the engine to no avail and subsequently performed a forced landing. On-scene examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the engine was partially separated from the airplane. The right wing was partially separated and the left wing was substantially damaged. The six-seat, low-wing, retractable tricycle-gear airplane, serial number 3246091, was manufactured in 1997. It was powered by a Lycoming, IO-540, 300-horsepower engine. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on January 11, 2017. At that time, the airplane had accumulated 1,155 total hours of operation. The engine had also accumulated 1,155 total hours of operation; of which, 480 hours were since its last major overhaul. The airplane had flown about 20 hours since the annual inspection. Postaccident examination revealed the timing of the left magneto was 14.6° ahead of 20° top dead center and the right magneto was 17° ahead of 20° top dead center. Both magnetos produced spark at all leads when rotated by hand. Camshaft, crankshaft, and valve train continuity was confirmed to the rear accessory section of the engine. Thumb compression was attained on all cylinders with the exception of the No. 6 cylinder, which was impact damaged. The engine-driven fuel pump was removed from the engine. Approximately 1 ounce of 100-low-lead aviation gasoline was recovered from the engine-driven fuel pump. The fuel was clear, blue, and absent of water when tested with water finding paste. When the engine driven fuel pump was actuated by hand, suction and compression were confirmed at the inlet and outlet port. The engine driven fuel pump was then disassembled and its diaphragm was intact with no obstructions noted. The fuel selector was in the right main fuel tank position and continuity was established from the right main fuel tank to the fuel selector. The throttle, mixture, and propeller levers were difficult to move, consistent with impact forces. The airplane was equipped with a Bendix KMD 150 which was sent to the NTSB Recorder's Laboratory inWashington, DC for examination. The device recorded five data points during the flight, containing coordinates, ground speed, heading, and GPS altitude. A complete copy of the NTSB's Recorder's Laboratory factual report is included in the public docket of this report. The recorded weather at an airport located about 7 miles northeast of the accident site, at 1058, included wind 220 at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 13° C, and dew point minus 1° C.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21HD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21HD-2018-09-14), registration cancelled 2018-09-14, S/N 3246091, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA32R (301)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-301](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-301) (registry code 7103218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3246091
- Year built: 1997
- Airframe hours: 1155
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 2017
- Departed: VKX, Friendly, MD
- Destination: UUU, NEWPORT, RI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: VKX, Potomac Airfield, runway 24, 2,665 × 40 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 26, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 862 total, 403 in this make and model, 787 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observed at: KADW, 7 nm away

## 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 20170206015819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170206015819A), Feb 6, 2017: Piper PA-32R-301, Fort Washington, MD, Destroyed. Description: N21HD experienced a power loss on takeoff/climbout; 1100FT power loss; landed off-airport in a wooded area; aircraft completely destroyed. Causal…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94688. 3.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 596 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462471&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462472&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462473&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF
- Wreckage Exam (item 4, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462474&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Exam-Master.PDF
- Cockpit Display - Specialist's Factual Report (item 5, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462475&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cockpit%20Display%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF
- Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 6, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462476&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.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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