Piper PA-32RT-300T accident near Guntersville, Alabama, October 21, 2004
On October 21, 2004 at about 8:03 pm local time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, registered N19TL, was substantially damaged in an accident near Guntersville, Alabama. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Total loss of engine power due to engine oil contamination, engine oil starvation, and multiple connecting rod bearing failures.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 21, 2004 · about 8:03 pm local time
- Place
- Guntersville, Alabama · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32RT-300T · all PA-32RT-300Ts on the register
- Registration
- N19TL · registry record · serial 32R-7887035
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight the engine lost power, the pilot declared an emergency and decided to make a forced landing in a nearby field. While maneuvering for the emergency landing the airplane collided with a tree short of the intended landing area, fell to the ground, and burst into flames. Examination of the engine found no measurable quantity of oil remained in the sump, only residual oil remained, which was dark black in color. The crankcase was breached, and large holes in the crankcase were observed above the #2 and #6 cylinders. The internal components of the valve train were examined and widespread spalling of the tappet bodies was noted. Severe wear of the camshaft was also noted. Four of the nine cam lobes exhibited severe wear. The crankshaft main bearings exhibited dirt and particle embedment from metal particles contaminating the oil supply. According to a Service letter issued by Lycoming; Service Letter No. SL206A, dated May 5, 1985 which addresses the subject of field reconditioned tappet bodies, SL206A states that field reconditioned tappet bodies often leads to camshaft and tappet body problems in a very short time, thereby necessitating their removal and replacement. Severe wear or spalling of the cam lobes and tappet bodies can result in metal particles contaminating the oil supply.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 400 hours in all; 30 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: October 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,461.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2004; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-S1AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: M33 Gallatin TN at 6:45 pm
- Destination: DTS Destin FL
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,400 ft; clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from HSV, 28 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ATL05LA007.