Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 46-350P near Zephyrhills, FL — 2009-10-24

Final reportERA10FA028
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Date
2009-10-24
Location
Zephyrhills, FL, USA
Airport
ZPH
Aircraft
PIPER PA 46-350P
Registration
N98ZZ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
3
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during a night approach for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot fueled the airplane prior to departure and flew uneventfully for approximately 30 minutes. The airplane then descended to 2,000 feet on approach to the destination airport, during night visual meteorological conditions. About 30 seconds after being cleared for a visual approach, the pilot declared an emergency to air traffic control and requested assistance to the nearest airport. The controller provided a vector to divert and distance to the nearest suitable airport. The pilot subsequently reported "engine out, engine out" and the airplane impacted wooded terrain about 4 miles northeast of runway 22 at the alternate airport. A postcrash fire consumed a majority of the wreckage. Examination of the wreckage, including teardown examination of the engine, did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions; however, the fuel system and ignition system were consumed by postcrash fire and could not be tested.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have diverted to nearest airport before declaring emergency.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 16 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents16

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