Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-32R-300 near Tucson, AZ — 2009-11-08

Final reportWPR10LA051
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Date
2009-11-08
Location
Tucson, AZ, USA
Airport
TUS
Aircraft
PIPER PA-32R-300
Registration
N2165M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

While descending for landing, the engine lost partial power and the airplane could not maintain altitude. The pilot attempted to divert to a nearby airport; however, he was not able to arrest the airplane's descent and had to make a forced landing to a road. The pilot stated that about 20 feet above the ground, he believes the engine lost all power. The airplane landed hard, struck a road sign, departed the paved surface, and came to rest on the desert floor. A postaccident examination of the airplane and the fuel-injected engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have opted for a different descent profile or landing site earlier.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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