Piper PA-32RT accident near Wilmington, North Carolina, June 29, 2022
On June 29, 2022 at about 3:45 pm local time, a 1979 Piper PA-32RT, registered N4321M, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Wilmington, North Carolina (Pilots Ridge airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2022 · about 3:45 pm local time
- Place
- Wilmington, North Carolina · Pilots Ridge · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32RT 300, built 1979 · all PA-32RTs on the register
- Registration
- N4321M · no longer on the register · serial 32R-7985078
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was departing for a local flight, and following an uneventful preflight inspection, runup, and taxi, he began the takeoff. About 3 to 5 seconds into the initial climb the engine sustained a partial loss of power and the pilot elected to land straight ahead on the remaining runway. The runway was wet, and the airplane exited the departure end of the runway, coming to rest in a small retention pond. The pilot received minor injuries, the passenger was not injured, and the airplane’s right wing was substantially damaged. A postaccident examination of the engine found no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation and the reason for the partial 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
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb
- Unknown or undetermined during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,969 hours in all; 535 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 1,849 as pilot in command; 535 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 31, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,045 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 19, 2022; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5D (piston); 3,045 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 3,000 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 1,600 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 am from SUT, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSUT 291555Z AUTO 00000KT 5SM -RA SCT016 SCT041 SCT050 25/22 A3026 RMK AO2 P0004 T02520220,M
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on November 15, 2023. 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 Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Records Excerpts | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Engine Examination | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Certification of Party Representatives to an NTSB Investigation | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N4321M 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.