Piper PA-32-300 accident near Saipan, CQ
On August 11, 2006, a Piper PA-32-300 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Saipan, CQ. 7 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 11, 2006
- Place
- Saipan, CQ
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-300 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 7 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 15.124°N, 145.748°E
- NTSB ID
- 20060817X01207
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 11, 2006, about 0215 Saipan standard time (about 1615, August 10, 2006, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)), a Piper PA-32-300, N4509T, experienced a total loss of engine power during initial climb from the Saipan International Airport, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. The pilot made a forced landing into high, vegetation-covered terrain about 1/2-mile southeast of the departure end of runway 07. The airplane was substantially damaged during the impact sequence and thereafter was consumed by post impact fire. The single engine airplane, known as a Cherokee Six, had a total of seven installed seats. The commercial pilot and six passengers received serious injuries. The inter-island passenger transportation flight was operated and performed by Taga Air Charter Services, Inc., Tinian, NM, the airplane's registered owner. Taga Air holds a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 air carrier operating certificate. Taga Air reported that the flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 on behalf of the Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino (TDHC). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the dark nighttime flight. Taga Air dispatched the flight and followed its progress under a company visual flight rules flight plan. The flight originated from Saipan about 0213. The pilot reported that he arrived at the Saipan International Airport about 1900, to commence his nighttime 12-hour-long flight shift, which was to end at 0700 the following morning. The pilot was wearing his customary uniform, which included captain's ep
Probable cause
A loss of engine power during the initial climb due to fuel starvation resulting from the pilot's improper fuel selector valve position selection and his failure to select a tank containing an adequate fuel supply. Contributing to the accident was the high vegetation and dark night lighting conditions.
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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
