Piper PA-32-260 accident near Arlington, Wyoming, July 12, 1993
On July 12, 1993 at about 6:53 pm local time, a Piper PA-32-260, registered N3774W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Arlington, Wyoming. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FUEL CONTAMINATION, DIRECTIVES NOT FOLLOWED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND, AND HIS PREMATURE FLARE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 12, 1993 · about 6:53 pm local time
- Place
- Arlington, Wyoming
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-260 · all PA-32-260s on the register
- Registration
- N3774W · no longer on the register · serial 32-696
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT DEPARTED LARAMIE, WYOMING, AFTER TOPPING OFF THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS. WHILE AT CRUISE ALTITUDE, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING AND REPORTED THAT HE 'WAS A LITTLE HIGH CAUSING INITIAL IMPACT AT NEAR STALL SPEED, REMOVING THE GEAR.' SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED CONTAMINATED WATER IN THE FUEL SELECTOR BOWL WITH THE DRAIN LEVER RUSTED IN THE 'CLOSED' POSITION. ADDITIONALLY, THE FUEL PUMP FILTER WAS COVERED WITH A RUST COLORED SUBSTANCE. AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 77-12-01 REQUIRES THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE BE CHECKED EVERY 50 HOURS SO AS TO 'PREVENT A FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND A POSSIBLE POWER INTERRUPTION.' THE LAST RECORD OF SUCH AN INSPECTION ON THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONDUCTED 64 HOURS PREVIOUSLY (15 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT). LIKEWISE, THE PIPER CHEROKEE SIX SERVICE MANUAL DESCRIBES PROCEDURES FOR REMOVING, DRAINING, AND CLEANING THE FUEL SELECTOR STRAINER BOWL AT LEAST EVERY 90 DAYS.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 650 hours in all; 585 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,741 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 30, 1992; 64 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LAR Laramie WY at 6:40 pm
- Destination: JAC Jackson WY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:50 pm from LAR, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| 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.