# NTSB IAD73FIJ22: Piper PA-32, N3442W, Fleminton, WV, May 17, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: May 17, 1973
- Place: Fleminton, WV · FLEMINTON, WV
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 189898
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD73FIJ22
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD73FIJ22

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3880  73/5/17    FLEMINTON,W VA      PIPER PA-32         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 33, 444
        TIME - 2130                    N3442W              PX-  0  3  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FLORENCE,SC                 MORGANTOWN,W VA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: CROP                                      LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - REDUCTION GEAR ASSEMBLY: OTHER
           POWERPLANT - REDUCTION GEAR ASSEMBLY: GEARS,ACCESSORY DRIVE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SHEARED
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- ACCESSORY GEAR RETAINING BOLT LOOSENED AND CAUSED ACCESSORY GEAR ON END OF CRANKSHAFT TO FAIL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3442W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3442W), registered now, S/N 32-307, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19730517012059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730517012059A), May 17, 1973: Piper PA32260, Fleminton, WV, Substantial damage. Accessory gear retaining bolt loosened and caused accessory gear on end of crankshaft to fail.

## Other investigations on N3442W (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 MKC86LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA175), Aug 26, 1986: Piper PA-32-260 (N3442W), Wilson, KS, 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.

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