You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.
| Date: | Thursday 17 October 2024 |
| Time: | 09:47 |
| Type: |  Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP |
| Owner/operator: | BCI Aviation LLC |
| Registration: | N81481 |
| MSN: | 32R-8013049 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1979 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near N D Ranch Airport (51TX), Van, TX -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Terrell Field, TX (TRL/KTRL) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
On October 17, 2024, at 0947 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301, N81481, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Van, Texas. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot reported to the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he had just received 60 gallons of fuel at Terrell Municipal Airport (TRL), Terrell, Texas. While in cruise flight, the engine experienced a gradual loss of power, so he switched to the left fuel tank and partial power was restored. He then switched back to the right fuel tank, but the engine was unable to regain power. During the decent for an emergency landing, the pilot kept the landing gear and flaps retracted. During the gear-up landing the airplane collided with a wood utility pole, which separated the left wing from the fuselage and the fuselage into two pieces.
The FAA inspector examined the airplane and found 30 to 35 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel in each of the fuel tanks. The fuel samples were free of water contamination. The engine remained attached at the firewall and did not exhibited signs of catastrophic failure.
The airplane was equipped with an Electronics International MVP-50 engine monitor, which was retained for data extraction and analysis.
The airplane has been retained for further examination.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://www.ketk.com/news/local-news/dps-crew-pilot-ok-after-van-zandt-county-plane-crash/
https://www.cbs19.tv/article/news/local/plane-crash-van-zandt/501-28f7d1d7-53d9-4e4f-b10c-fffe73ab0468
NTSB
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=81481
https://www.aircraft.com/aircraft/201103177/n81481-1980-piper-saratoga-sp
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N81481/history/20241017/1421Z/KTRL/51TX
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 18-Oct-2024 16:11 | Captain Adam | Added |
| 25-Oct-2024 18:55 | Captain Adam | Updated [Time, Source, Damage, Narrative, Category, Accident report, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation