Saturday, May 05, 2018

Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP, N21HD: Accident occurred February 06, 2017 near Potomac Airfield (KVKX), Friendly, Prince George's County, Maryland

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Dulles, Virginia
Lycoming
Piper
NTSB; Washington, DC

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms 
 
http://registry.faa.gov/N21HD



Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Location: Friendly, MD
Accident Number: ERA17LA100
Date & Time: 02/06/2017, 1100 EST
Registration: N21HD
Aircraft: PIPER PA32R
Aircraft Damage: Unknown
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

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 in Washington, 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. 



Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 62, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/03/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 09/26/2016
Flight Time:  862 hours (Total, all aircraft), 403 hours (Total, this make and model), 787 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 43 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 13 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: PIPER
Registration: N21HD
Model/Series: PA32R 301
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1997
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 3246091
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/11/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3600 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1155 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: IO-540 SER
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 300 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KADW, 282 ft msl
Observation Time: 1658 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 43°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / -1°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots, 220°
Visibility (RVR): 
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Friendly, MD (VKX)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: NEWPORT, RI (UUU)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 1035 EST
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: POTOMAC AIRFIELD (VKX)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 117 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Vegetation
Runway Used: 24
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2665 ft / 40 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Unknown
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 38.730000, -76.970000



NTSB Identification: ERA17LA100
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, February 06, 2017 in Friendly, MD
Aircraft: PIPER PA32R, registration: N21HD
Injuries: 1 Serious.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On February 6, 2017, about 1145 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32R-301, N21HD, was substantially damaged during a forced landing during the initial climb after takeoff t 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 and taxied to the self-serve fuel pumps, and topped-off the fuel tanks. A few minutes later, he sumped the fuel tanks and reported the fuel was blue and free of contaminates. Shortly after takeoff, about 1,000 feet 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.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. According to the inspector, the engine was partially separated from the airplane. The right wing was partially separated and the left wing was substantially damaged.

The wreckage was retained for further examination.

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