Friday, September 07, 2018

Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six, N3957X: Accident September 03, 2018 in Wrangell, Alaska

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N3957X

Location: Wrangell, AK
Accident Number: ANC18LA069
Date & Time: 09/03/2018, 1353 AKD
Registration: N3957X
Aircraft: Piper PA32
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On September 3, 2018, about 1353 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-32 airplane, N3957X, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power while in level cruise flight near Wrangell, Alaska. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 visual flight rules (VFR) flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The flight departed Ketchikan, Alaska about 1325 destined for Juneau, Alaska.

According to the pilot, while in level cruise flight, the engine rpm increased to 3000. In an effort to correct for the high rpm the pilot reduced manifold pressure to 17 inches of mercury. Shortly thereafter, he noticed the engine oil pressure drop with oil visible on the airplane's windscreen, followed by a total loss of engine power. He performed an emergency landing near the high tide line in an area of seagrass. During the emergency landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The aircraft was equipped with a Lycoming IO-540 series engine.

A detailed wreckage examination is pending. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N3957X
Model/Series: PA32 300
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
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: PAWG
Observation Time: 2156 UTC
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / 11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 4000 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 270°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.26 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Departure Point: Ketchikan, AK
Destination: Juneau, AK

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:

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