2013 Piper PA-32R-301 Crash Near Huntsville, Arkansas (N888TP)

Accident Overview and Flight Details On October 21, 2013, at approximately 1406 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301 airplane, registration N888TP, impacted trees and terrain during a descent from cruise near Huntsville, Arkansas. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual flight rules (VFR) conditions prevailed, and the flight did not operate on a VFR flight plan. The flight originated from Thomas C Russell Field Airport (ALX) near Alexander City, Alabama, at approximately 1045, and was destined for Claremore Regional Airport (GCM) near Claremore, Oklahoma. The pilot had obtained preflight weather and pilot briefings for the VFR flight, with an estimated time en route of four hours. Fueling records indicated the airplane's tanks were serviced with 57.74 gallons of aviation gasoline on October 18, 2013, at ALX. On October 21, the pilot made multiple attempts to start the engine, which a mechanic noted almost completely drained the battery. The engine started without an external power source, and the pilot departed runway 18 without performing a run-up or magneto check.