# NTSB LAX97LA181: Piper PA-32R-300, N3609Q, Burbank, CA, May 12, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 12, 1997, 06:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Burbank, CA - Location: 34.1901° N, 118.3264° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Burbank, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1901&lon=-118.3264&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29788 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29788/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA181 ## Probable cause improperly secured upper cowl fasteners by unknown person(s). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - cooling system,cowling - unlatched (cause) - cooling system,cowling - separation ## Analysis The upper engine cowling separated from the nose section during flight and lodged on the horizontal stabilizer. The cowling remained on the stabilizer until after landing and then fell off on the runway during the rollout. Postflight examination of portions of the upper cowl, which contained three fasteners, did not disclose any damage or excessive wear to the fasteners. However, the two front alignment pins that attach to the lower cowl were missing. ## Factual narrative On May 12, 1997, at 0630 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-300, N3609Q, was substantially damaged when the upper engine cowling came loose, separated from the nose section, and lodged on the horizontal stabilizer. The cowling remained on the stabilizer until after landing and then fell off onto the runway during the landing rollout. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. The flight departed Burbank Airport, Burbank, California, for an on-demand air taxi cargo flight to Mammoth Lakes, California, with intermediate stops planned at Lancaster and Inyokern. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. According to the aircraft maintenance records, this was the first flight after the aircraft underwent a 50-hour routine inspection during which the top cowl was removed and then reinstalled. The last inspection that specifically requires the cowling and its fasteners to be inspected for serviceability was accomplished on January 28, 1997. The aircraft had been flown 134.7 hours since that date. The aircraft had a total time 6,711 hours when it departed on May 12, 1997. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that, although only three cowl fasteners could be found, none of them appeared to be damaged or excessively worn. He also stated that the two front alignment pins that attach to the lower cowl were missing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3609Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3609Q), registered now, S/N 32R-7780319, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32R-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (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: 32R-7780319 - Airframe hours: 5366 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-KIG5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Martijn Bakker - Registered owner: Ameriflight, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, May 6, 1997, 1 hours before - Departed: BBK, CA - Destination: WJF, LANCASTER, CA - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,350 total, 70 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 2.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: KBU, 4 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 19970512010249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970512010249A), May 12, 1997: Piper PA32R300, Burbank, CA, Substantial damage. Upper engine cowl came off in flight. Lodged on tail section. Fell off landing. Maintenance failed secure cowling. ## Other investigations on N3609Q (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 ANC25LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA055), Jun 24, 2025: Piper PA-32R-300 (N3609Q), Big Lake, AK, substantial damage, investigation ongoing 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.