# NTSB LAX02LA022: Piper PA-32-260, N3516W, Avalon, CA, November 4, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 3, 2001, 16:45 local (Nov 4, 2001, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Avalon, CA - Coordinates: 33.584999, -118.417221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5850&lon=-118.4172&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53726 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA022 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53726/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA022 ## Probable cause the total loss of engine power during departure climb for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Ditching, emergency landing ## Analysis The airplane sank in the Pacific Ocean after the pilot ditched the airplane following a complete loss of engine power. The pilot reported that he conducted a preflight inspection, took off, and was departing the traffic pattern when the engine started to "flutter" and make "loud metal to metal sounds." The pilot attempted to return the airplane to the departure airport, but was unable. The pilot ditched the airplane in the ocean as close to a boat as possible. A small boat then picked up the pilot and his passengers. Due to the fact that the airplane and engine were not recovered, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On November 3, 2001, at 1645 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-32-260, N3516W, experienced a loss of engine power during departure climb and ditched into the Pacific Ocean about 5 miles north of Catalina Island, Avalon, California. The airplane was not recovered and is assumed to be substantially damaged. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan had not been filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Carlsbad, California. According to the pilot's written statement, he inspected the airplane prior to departure. They took off from runway 22 and proceeded with a right downwind departure. While departing the downwind (approximately 3 to 5 miles northeast of the airport), the engine "began to flutter then made several loud metal to metal sounds." The pilot said that the engine continued to run and produce partial power, but he made an emergency radio call and attempted to return to the airport. Though the engine was still running, the airplane lost too much altitude to make the airport so the pilot diverted north along the coast, away from the island cliffs. In less than 1 minute the engine lost total power. The pilot located a boat in the water and ditched the airplane as close to the boat as possible (within 100 yards). The pilot and his passengers manually filled up the buoyancy control vests that they had in the airplane for a scuba diving trip and swam away from the airplane. Within 4 minutes, a 4-man rubber boat picked up the pilot and passengers and took them to a larger boat. The Catalina Island airport manager stated that a pilot reported hearing the accident airplane prior to departure and that the engine sounded "terrible or strange" to him. Review of the aircraft's maintenance records revealed that the airplane underwent its last annual inspection on September 23, 2000, at an airplane total time of 3,462.5 hours. Due to the fact that the airplane and engine were not recovered, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3516W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3516W-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N 32-399, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-260 - 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: 32-399 - Airframe hours: 3462.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David A. Raine - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 2000 - Departed: AVX, Avalon, CA - Destination: CRQ, Carlsbad, CA - Airport: AVX, Catalina ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 9 knots - Visibility: 0.75 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 200 ft indefinitevv - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: AVX ## 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 20011104030959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011104030959A), Nov 4, 2001: Piper PA32260, Avalon, CA, No damage. (-23) After takeoff from Catalina Airport (kavx) and departing downwind, the engine began to flutter with several metal to metal sounds and would not develop… 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.