Piper PA-32-300 accident near Orcas Island, Washington, September 17, 2021
On September 17, 2021 at about 1:25 am local time, a 1975 Piper PA-32-300, registered N33022, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Orcas Island, Washington. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to the pilot’s mismanagement of the fuel system which resulted in fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 17, 2021 · about 1:25 am local time
- Place
- Orcas Island, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32-300, built 1975 · all PA-32-300s on the register
- Registration
- N33022 · no longer on the register · serial 32-7540081
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident occurred on the return flight to the operator’s home base. While en route, the engine hesitated and within seconds lost all power. The pilot turned toward land, turned the electric fuel pump to ON, and switched from left main fuel tank to the right main fuel tank. During the descent for a forced landing, the engine sputtered and lost power again. The pilot continued to land the airplane, which impacted the terrain hard in an open field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. During the airplane recovery, it was determined that both main fuel tanks were intact. A total of 8 ounces of fuel were drained from the left main fuel tank and a total of 15 gallons of fuel were drained from the right fuel tank. Postaccident examination revealed that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures to the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from the pilot’s mismanagement of the fuel system during the flight.
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 (total) during enroute (cruise)
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Fuel related during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, remote
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,998.2 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 6, 2021; 50 hours since
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming T1O-540 (piston); 1,437 hours total
- Operator: Fly Guys Constructions, LLC
The flight
- Departed from: KFHR Friday Harbor WA
- Destination: KBLI Bellingham WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:15 pm from KORS, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KORS 170115Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 14/07 A3000 RMK AO2=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on March 22, 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 | Operator 6120 | PDF, 15 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Statement from Insurance Company | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Engine Data Monitor (EDM) - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Attachment 1 to Engine Data Monitor (EDM) - Specialist's Factual Report | data file | Download |
| 7 | NTSB Engine Examination Notes | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Wreckage Form | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Lycoming Party Form | 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.