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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

November 8, 2020 · Piper PA32 300 · N33DW

Circleville, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 8, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Circleville, OH
Aircraft
Piper PA32 300 (1971)
Tail Number
N33DW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA049

Shortly after takeoff, the airplane’s engine experienced a total loss of power. Unable to restore engine power and at low altitude, the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. Examination of the engine found the accessory drive gears would not rotate when the propeller was turned. The reason the gears would not rotate was not located during that examination. After the airplane was released, a salvage facility performed a complete teardown of the engine and informed the pilot’s mechanic that one of the accessory drive gears appeared to have backed out which impeded the other gears. While likely this was the cause of the engine power loss, no further information and could not be obtained.

NTSB Probable Cause

The total loss of engine power due to an accessory drive gear that backed out impeding the other gears.

Full Narrative

On November 8, 2020, about 1430 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-300 airplane, N33DW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Circleville, Ohio. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that at 1330, he departed Fairfield County Airport (LHQ), Lancaster, Ohio, with full fuel tanks, about 84 gallons distributed in 4 fuel tanks. The pilot flew several instrument procedures and approaches before landing at Pickaway County Memorial Airport, Circleville, Ohio (CYO). At 1430, he departed CYO and shortly after he retracted the flaps, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot was unable to restore engine power and, due to the low altitude, he was unable to make it back to the airport, so he performed a forced landing to a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wing spars. The responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector performed a visual inspection of the airplane and found fuel in the tanks. The fuel was sumped and did not exhibit evidence of water or other contamination. An examination of the engine found that the accessory drive gear was disconnected from the crankshaft, with no movement from the accessories when the engine was rotated. The fuel selector was removed and examined. Several discrepancies were found with the fuel selector, but none that could be directly linked to a loss of engine power. After the wreckage was released, the pilot reported that when then engine was completely disassembled, one of the accessory drive gears had backed out and was binding the other gears in the accessory case. This information could not be confirmed via statement from maintenance personnel or photos.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA32 300
Tail NumberN33DW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-K1A5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Basc · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 F
Altimeter30.29 inHg
Observation Time14:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data