Piper PA32RT accident near Camden, South Carolina, September 30, 2016
On September 30, 2016 at about 9:30 pm local time, a 1978 Piper PA32RT, registered N39686, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Camden, South Carolina. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to the improper torqueing of the magneto, which led it to its malfunctioning in flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 30, 2016 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Camden, South Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA32RT 300T, built 1978 · all PA32RTs on the register
- Registration
- N39686 · no longer on the register · serial 32R-7887143
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airline transport pilot and passenger were breaking in the newly overhauled engine on a cross-country flight in accordance with the engine manufacturer's break-in procedures. About 20 minutes after departure, during cruise flight at 75% power, the engine began running "mildly rough" and then began "cutting in and out." The pilot chose to divert to another airport, and about 5 miles from that airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a field, during which the wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage. When the single-drive dual magneto was placed on a test stand, the left side of the magneto did not produce spark. Internal examination of the magneto revealed that the left and right capacitor fastenings were not properly torqued, which resulted in intermittent arcing and melting of the cam follower and the subsequent loss of power. It could not be determined when the magneto's capacitor fasteners had last been torqued.
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 enroute defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during emergency descent
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Magneto/distributor › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Other/unknown
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,200 hours in all; 20 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: February 20, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 1, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FLO Florence SC at 9:30 pm
- Destination: AVL Asheville NC
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 9:35 pm from KCDN, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on March 7, 2018. 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 | Pilot Timeline | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Engine Exam | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | 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.