Piper PA-28R-200 accident near Cattaraugus, New York, November 11, 2001
On November 11, 2001 at about 1:50 pm local time, a Piper PA-28R-200, registered N3057R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cattaraugus, New York. It was an instructional 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 separation of the cylinder from the engine for undetermined reason(s). A factor was the hidden ground obstruction (hole) which the airplane struck during the landing roll.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 11, 2001 · about 1:50 pm local time
- Place
- Cattaraugus, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-200 · all PA-28R-200s on the register
- Registration
- N3057R · registry record · serial 28R-35618
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During en route cruise, the airplane's engine began to run rough. This was followed by a loud bang, and a cylinder penetrated the engine cowling. A forced landing was performed to a field. During the ground roll, one main landing gear struck a hole, after which, it collapsed. The airplane yawed, and the other main landing gear also collapsed. Examination revealed that the number 3 cylinder had pulled away from the engine case. All through bolts and engine case bolts were separated. In addition, the piston and piston wrist pin were fractured. Oil was found in the engine sump. Maintenance records revealed that the cylinders had been removed and replaced 146 hours prior to the occurrence. The mechanic who performed the installation was interviewed by the FAA and found to be knowledgeable on the tightening procedures recommended by Lycoming.
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
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,669 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 137 in the last 90 days; 54 in the last 30 days; 1,564 as pilot in command; 774 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 29, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 207 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 51 in the last 90 days; 22 in the last 30 days; 164 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 14, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,191 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 18, 2001; 37 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: B16 Weedsport NY at 12:50 pm
- Destination: JHW Jamestown NY
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 32°F (0°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 1:58 pm from JHW, 24 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 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.