Piper PA-32R-301T accident near Reserve, New Mexico, February 1, 2010
On February 1, 2010 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, registered N3565B, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Reserve, New Mexico (Reserve Airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An in-flight fire due to a fuel leak from the No. 5 cylinder's broken fuel injector/line.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 1, 2010 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Reserve, New Mexico · Reserve Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-301T · all PA-32R-301Ts on the register
- Registration
- N3565B · no longer on the register · serial 32R-8029027
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During takeoff the pilot heard a "pop" noise followed by smoke in the cockpit. The pilot elected to continue the takeoff roll and return to the airport; during the downwind leg, the smoke became severe. The pilot was able to land the airplane safely. Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine, cowling, and firewall sustained fire damage. Additionally the inspection revealed that a fuel injector/line on the No. 5 cylinder was broken and had sprayed fuel onto the engine's turbocharger.
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
What happened, in order
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during takeoff
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel distribution › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 28,500 hours in all; 29 in this make and model; 34 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 25,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 28, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TI0-540 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Zia Consulting INC
The flight
- Departed from: T16 Reserve NM
- Destination: PHD New Philadelphi OH
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.