Piper PA 32R-300 accident near Grants, New Mexico, September 19, 2016
On September 19, 2016 at about 11:00 pm local time, a 1976 Piper PA 32R-300, registered N4477F, was destroyed in an accident during takeoff near Grants, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 19, 2016 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Grants, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 32R-300, built 1976 · all PA 32R-300s on the register
- Registration
- N4477F · no longer on the register · serial 32R-7680449
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After a preflight inspection and engine run up that revealed no anomalies, the private pilot and two passengers were departing on a cross-country flight. The pilot stated that the airplane became airborne approximately 5,000 ft down the 7,172-ft-long runway at 80 knots. Approximately 100 feet above ground level, he heard a "gurgle" and the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot verified that the fuel pump was on and the throttle was in its full-forward position. The pilot then located a forced landing site and during the landing, the airplane impacted a tree. The occupants egressed, and the airplane was subsequently consumed by postcrash fire. The accident airport was located at an elevation about 6,500 ft mean sea level (msl). Given the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident, the density altitude exceeded 9,000 ft msl, which would have significantly increased the airplane's takeoff distance and reduced its climb capability. The pilot's experience operating in high density altitude environments could not be determined. Review of photos from the accident site revealed that the fuel selector handle appeared to be located between the left fuel tank and off positions; however, the fuel selector was not examined and its position could not be verified, therefore, the reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
- Fuel starvation during takeoff defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during takeoff
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine sea
- Flight time: 592 hours in all; 218.8 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 489 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 16, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,101 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 15, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-KIG50 (piston); 5,101 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: GNT Grants NM at 11:00 pm
- Destination: CDC Cedar City UT
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 9°F (-13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 pm from KGNT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N4477F the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.