Piper PA32R N21HD

Summary

On 6 February 2017 at about 16:00 local time, a Piper PA32R registered N21HD was involved in an accident near Friendly, Maryland, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 February 2017 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Friendly, Maryland, United States

Nearest airport

Potomac Airfield (VKX)

Coordinates

38.7300, -76.9700

Aircraft

Piper PA32R

Registration

N21HD

Category

Airplane

Year built

1997

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Friendly → Newport

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA17LA100

1 person was seriously injured.

A total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After completing a preflight inspection of the airplane, the private pilot filled the fuel tanks and sampled the fuel, which exhibited no anomalies. Shortly after takeoff, about 1,000 ft above ground level, the engine experienced a total loss of power and the airplane was substantially damaged during the subsequent forced landing. A postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although the timing of both magnetos was found to be off, this discrepancy could have been a result of impact forces, since the engine ran smoothly before the loss of power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.