# NTSB ERA21LA019: Piper PA32, N3595W, Atlanta, GA, October 11, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 11, 2020, 08:10 local (12:10 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, GA - Coordinates: 33.868074, -84.306181 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8681&lon=-84.3062&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102138 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102138/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA019 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to a right magneto anomaly, which resulted in the pilot’s decision to abort the takeoff and the subsequent runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: magneto/distributor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/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 (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-260, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7103206), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that, after takeoff, the engine lost partial power. With limited runway remaining, the pilot decided to make a forced landing during which the airplane departed the runway and traveled about 200 ft into the grass. During the runway excursion the airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. A postaccident engine test run revealed that the right magneto exhibited a drop off of 245 rpm, which exceeded the airplane manufacturer’s ground check guidance. Furthermore, the timing of the right magneto could not be determined because the contact points would not open far enough. The left magneto operated normally and had proper timing. It is likely that the anomaly observed with the right magneto resulted in a partial loss of engine power, the pilot’s decision to abort the takeoff, and the subsequent runway excursion. ## Factual narrative On October 11, 2020, about 0810 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N3595W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), Atlanta, Georgia. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he landed at PDK on the day before the accident and requested that the airplane fuel tanks be topped off. On the day of the accident, the pilot performed a preflight inspection with no anomalies noted. He taxied the airplane to runway 21R, advanced the throttle to full power for takeoff, and noted that “the RPMs were producing full power, temps [temperatures] and pressures where in range and that airspeed was alive and increasing as normal.” The pilot stated that, after takeoff, the airplane continued to accelerate normally until it was about 150 to 200 ft above ground level. At that time, the pilot noted an “abrupt reduction in engine noise.” The pilot decided to make a forced landing, and the airplane touched down on the runway. The airplane then departed the end of the runway and traveled about 200 ft into the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. A postaccident engine run was performed. When the magnetos were checked, the right magneto drop off was 245 rpm. The oil filter was examined, and small ferrous and nonferrous particles were noted. A cylinder compression check was performed, and low compression was noted in cylinders Nos. 2 and 4. The magneto timing was checked, and the left magneto was timed to 25° from top dead center. The right magneto contact points would not open far enough to check the timing. The engine controls were examined, and no anomalies were noted. Furthermore, the mechanic performing the engine rebuilding work after the accident noted that four cylinders “showed signs of extreme heat.” The cylinder bores had grooves, and the interior marks “appeared fresh” with “no signs of smoothing” from operation. In addition, multiple “substantial” intake system leaks were noted. According to the Sky Ranch Engineering Manual, high cylinder temperature could be a result of an improperly timed engine. According to the Piper PA-32-260 owner’s handbook, during a ground check, a “drop off on either magneto should not exceed 125 RPM.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3595W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3595W), registered now, S/N 32-491, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA32 (260) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260) (registry code 7103206) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-491 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 6011 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 2020 - Destination: HEF, Manassas, VA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PDK, Dekalb-Peachtree Airport, runway 21R, 3,746 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 23, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,175 total, 670 in this make and model, 1,363 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KPDK - METAR: KPDK 111153Z 15006KT 10SM OVC012 21/20 A2980 RMK AO2 SLP078 60001 70340 T02060200 10222 20206 53003 ## 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 20201011018349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201011018349A), Oct 11, 2020: Piper PA-32-260, Decatur, GA, Substantial damage. On October 11, 2020, at approximately 07:30 a.m. eastern daylight time, a 1996 Piper aircraft, model PA-32-260, with registration N3595W, sustained substantial… ## Other investigations on N3595W (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 LAX77DUG35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77DUG35), Mar 20, 1977: Piper PA-32 (N3595W), Needles, CA, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.