Piper PA32RT accident near Bulverde, Texas, September 9, 2022
On September 9, 2022 at about 12:50 pm local time, a 1978 Piper PA32RT, registered N31981, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Bulverde, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power due to excessive carbon deposits that resulted in one or more stuck exhaust valves.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 9, 2022 · about 12:50 pm local time
- Place
- Bulverde, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA32RT 300T, built 1978 · all PA32RTs on the register
- Registration
- N31981 · registry record · serial 32R-7887018
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported the airplane did not accelerate as usual during the takeoff roll. To avoid obstacles at the end of the runway, the pilot continued the takeoff. The airplane cleared powerlines, trees, and a school, but was nearing a stall so the pilot decided to make a forced landing in a field. During the landing the airplane collided with a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. Examination of the engine found excessive carbon deposits around the No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve. A large amount of carbon buildup was found on the rocker arm, rocker shaft, and valve spring. The rotator cap also had carbon deposits and exhibited a groove wear pattern consistent with a lack of cap rotation. The exhaust valve guide had excessive wobble and movement within the guide. The No. 5 exhaust valve also displayed signatures of carbon buildup but not to the same extent as the No. 4. No other anomalies were detected with the engine or airframe. The loss of engine power was likely due to at least one stuck exhaust valve.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 657 hours in all; 488 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 541 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 19, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,655 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 4, 2022
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-51AD (piston); 3,673 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1T8 Bulverde TX at 12:51 pm
- Destination: KDAL Dallad TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 7:51 am from KSAT, 13 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSAT 091251Z 19005KT 10SM SCT070 SCT250 24/21 A2979 RMK AO2 SLP068 T02390206 $=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on January 30, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Examination | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.