Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ERA23LA040

Lake Worth, FL, USA

Aircraft #1

N39628

PIPER PA-32RT-300T

Factual Information

On October 23, 2022, about 1610 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, N39628, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lake Worth, Florida. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, after an uneventful flight and landing at Palm Beach County Park Airport (LNA), West Palm Beach, Florida, the pilot purchased 10 gallons of aviation fuel for a total fuel load of 27 gallons for his next flight to Okeechobee County Airport (OBE), Okeechobee, Florida, about 55 nautical miles away. The pilot took off and climbed out normally. Shortly after retracting flaps and making a power adjustment, the engine started losing power. His attempt to regain power was unsuccessful; The pilot stated there was “no roughness” in the engine prior to or during the power loss. Unable to maintain level flight, and with an altitude of 300 ft above ground level, he was forced to land on a paved dead end road. During final approach, the airplane struck the top of trees. The airplane impacted the ground short of the road and skidded to a stop up against a guardrail. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage and found that the fuselage was buckled and, the impact broke the left wing mid span and sheared off the right wingtip. The fuel tanks were compromised spilling fuel around the impact site. An initial examination of the engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. The airplane was retained for further examination.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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