Piper PA-46-310P N43368

Summary

On 21 February 2010 at about 00:50 local time, a Piper PA-46-310P registered N43368, operated by Big Sky Inc, was involved in an incident near Nashville, Tennessee, United States. 4 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 February 2010 at 00:50

Classification

Incident

Location

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

Nashville International (BNA)

Coordinates

36.1214, -86.6736

Aircraft

Piper PA-46-310P

Registration

N43368

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Big Sky Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Winchester → Iowa City

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

ERA10IA147

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power due to the mechanic’s failure to properly secure the fuel control unit fuel lines after replacement of the starter adapter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that while in cruise flight the alternator light illuminated and he smelled smoke. He declared an emergency, diverted to the nearest airport, and noted a complete loss of engine power during the descent. The pilot and passengers evacuated the airplane, and noted that light smoke emanated from the cowling for several minutes after landing. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed fire damage in the engine compartment between the firewall and rear engine baffle. The fuel control unit feed and return lines were found loose at the rear engine baffle fittings immediately above the starter and starter adapter. Inspection of maintenance invoices revealed that the starter adapter was replaced approximately 9 hours before the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.