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September 7, 2020 · Piper PA32R 301T · N3576X

Bonham, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 7, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Bonham, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA32R 301T (1979)
Tail Number
N3576X
Operator
4D Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN20LA384

According to the pilot, he and a passenger departed on a personal flight. The airplane was on its first flight after maintenance work, which included the replacement of the engine exhaust. Shortly after departure, the pilot noted high turbine inlet and cylinder head temperatures. The pilot tried to return to the airport; however, about 2 miles short of the airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power. During the forced landing the landing gear collapsed in the soft terrain which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. An engine examination found that the No. 6 cylinder fuel injector line was not connected. It was also noted that initially the turbocharge was not free to rotate, but once freed it rotated without resistance. The accident is consistent with a loss of engine power due to a fuel injector line not being connected. This is likely due to maintenance personnel not adequately tightening the No. 6 cylinder fuel injector line during the recent maintenance.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power due to a disconnected fuel injector line that was not properly tightened during recent maintenance.

Full Narrative

On September 7, 2020, about 0810 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32R airplane, N3576X, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bonham, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, the airplane was on its first flight after maintenance work was completed, which included the replacement of the engine exhaust. Shortly after departure, the pilot noted high turbine inlet and cylinder head temperatures. The pilot then decided to return to the airport; however, about 2 miles short of the airport, the engine lost total power. During the forced landing, the landing gear collapsed in the soft terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. An engine examination was conducted by the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. The examination found that the No. 6 cylinder fuel injector line was not connected. It was also noted that initially the turbocharger was not free to rotate, but once freed, it rotated without resistance.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:10 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA32R 301T
Tail NumberN3576X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operator4D Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540 · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data