Piper PA-32-300 N33022

Summary

On 17 September 2021 at about 01:25 local time, a Piper PA-32-300 registered N33022, operated by Fly Guys Constructions, LLC, was involved in an accident near Orcas Island, Washington, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 September 2021 at 01:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Orcas Island, Washington, United States

Coordinates

48.6463, -122.7828

Aircraft

Piper PA-32-300

Registration

N33022

Category

Airplane

Year built

1975

Engines

1

Operator

Fly Guys Constructions, LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Friday Harbor → Bellingham

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR21LA363

2 people were seriously injured.

The total loss of engine power due to the pilot’s mismanagement of the fuel system which resulted in fuel starvation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The accident occurred on the return flight to the operator’s home base. While en route, the engine hesitated and within seconds lost all power. The pilot turned toward land, turned the electric fuel pump to ON, and switched from left main fuel tank to the right main fuel tank. During the descent for a forced landing, the engine sputtered and lost power again. The pilot continued to land the airplane, which impacted the terrain hard in an open field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. During the airplane recovery, it was determined that both main fuel tanks were intact. A total of 8 ounces of fuel were drained from the left main fuel tank and a total of 15 gallons of fuel were drained from the right fuel tank. Postaccident examination revealed that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures to the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the pilot’s mismanagement of the fuel system during the flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.