# Accident 20131130023399A: Piper PA-28-161, Elkmont, AL, November 30, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 30, 2013, 14:00 local time
- Place: Elkmont, AL
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.9261° N, 86.9703° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9261&lon=-86.9703&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8878E, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8878E-2018-03-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-161 (registry code 7102803, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 110 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA14LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA057) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131130023399A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED FROM (DCU) TO (GZS) TO A NEW STORAGE FACILITY. WHILE ENROUTE, IN THE AREA OF HIS RESIDENCE, THE PILOT WHO HAD BEEN CERTIFICATED FOR 16 MONTHS BEGAN PERFORMING AGGRESSIVE MANEUVERS NEAR HIS HOUSE AT EXTREMELY LOW ALTITUDE AROUND 100FT ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, WHO WAS ALSO A PILOT.  THE WITNESS STATED HE WAS OBSERVING THE AIRCRAFT TO TRY TO MAKE OUT A REGISTRATION NUMBER AND MAKE A COMPLAINT TO LOCAL OFFICALS.  WITNESS STATED AIRCRAFT APPEARED TO STALL BUT RECOVERED AND FLEW OUT OF VIEW, BUT RETURNED MINUTES LATER PERFORMING BANKED TURNS APPROACHING 90 DEGREES.  WHILE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A STEEP TURN, THE WINGS ABRUTLY WENT LEVEL IN A DOWNWARD ANGLE, ENGINE BACKFIRED AND STOPPED OPERATING. WITNESS STATED AIRCRAFT IMPACTED GROUND WITHIN 3 SECONDS OF WINGS BECOMING LEVEL.  AIRCRAFT WAS REMOVED TO A SECURE FACILITY FOR FUTURE DISASSEMBLY AND INSPECTION.  EXAMINATION OR AIRCRAFT AT SCENE REVEALED NO CAUSE FOR ENGINE BACKFIRE AND FAILURE TO OPERATE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA14LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA057), Nov 30, 2013: Piper PA-28-161 (N8878E), Elkmont, AL, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A stuck exhaust valve, which resulted in a total loss of engine power at low altitude. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s decision to fly at a low altitude, which reduced his forced…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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