Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fargo, North Dakota
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Location: Saipan, MP
Accident Number: GAA19CA268
Date & Time: 04/19/2019, 1826 LCL
Registration: N4599X
Aircraft: Piper PA32
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Birdstrike
Injuries: 4 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Scheduled
The operator reported that, during the initial climb, about 1,500 ft, the pilot and passengers reported hearing and feeling an impact. The upper left engine cowling separated and struck the windshield. The pilot declared an emergency, returned to the departure airport, and landed without further incident
Postaccident examination revealed traces of blood on the propeller, left wing leading edge, and the vertical stabilizer leading edge. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage, which was consistent with impact damage from the separated engine cowling.
The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 44, 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 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/05/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/13/2018
Flight Time: (Estimated) 1268 hours (Total, all aircraft), 425 hours (Total, this make and model), 816 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 229 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 55 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Piper
Registration: N4599X
Model/Series: PA32 300
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1975
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 32-7640040
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 6
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/03/2019, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8625.48 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-540-K1A5
Registered Owner: Star Marianas Air Inc
Rated Power: 300 hp
Operator: Star Marianas Air Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Certificate of Authorization or Waiver (COA); Commuter Air Carrier (135); On-demand Air Taxi (135)
Operator Does Business As:
Operator Designator Code: 1SMA
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: PGSN, 13 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0854 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 97°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 2500 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 5000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 60°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 23°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Saipan, MP (GSN)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: Tinian Island, MP (TNI)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1820 LCL
Type of Airspace: Class D
Airport Information
Airport: SAIPAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (GSN)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 215 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Unknown
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Precautionary Landing; Straight-in
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 3 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 4 None
Latitude, Longitude: 15.118056, 145.724167 (est)
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