He Noted An “Abrupt Reduction In Engine Noise”

Location: Atlanta, GA Accident Number: ERA21LA019
Date & Time: October 11, 2020, 08:25 Local Registration: N3595W
Aircraft: PIPER PA32 Injuries: 3 None
Flight Conducted Under:

On October 11, 2020, about 0825 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32-260, N3595W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), Atlanta, Georgia. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, he landed at PDK on October 10, 2020, and requested the airplane fuel tanks be topped off. On the day of the accident, he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane with no anomalies noted and taxied the airplane to runway 21R. He “advanced the throttle to full power for takeoff and noted that the RPMs was producing full power, temps and pressures where in range and that airspeed was alive and increasing as normal.” The pilot stated that after takeoff, the airplane continued to accelerate normally until about 150-200 ft above ground level when he noted an “abrupt reduction in engine noise.” He attempted to land on the remaining runway; however, the airplane departed the runway and traveled about 200 ft into the grass. After the airplane came to rest, the pilot subsequently restarted the engine and taxied the airplane from the grass back onto the runway, where it was towed to the ramp.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov