# Accident 20230701012969A: Piper PA-28-140, Rubicon Bay, CA, July 1, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 1, 2023, 10:00 local time
- Place: Rubicon Bay, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.0140° N, 120.1098° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0140&lon=-120.1098&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4586R, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4586R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-140 (registry code 7102802, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (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-28-140
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR23LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA249) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230701012969A

## Narrative

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

PILOT TOOK OFF FROM MODESTO, CA.  CONTINUED FLIGHT AROUND LAKE TAHOE COUNTERCLOCKWISE WHEN THE PILOT HEARD AND FELT A POP LEVELING OFF FROM DESCENT IN THE VACINITY OF THE TOWN OF HOMEWOOD, CA.  THE ENGINE RPM DROPPED FROM 2300 TO 1800RPM AND THE PILOT LOST FUNCTIONS OF THROTTLE CONTROL IN THE COCKPIT.  THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING.  PILOT MANIPULATED FUEL MIXTURE AND SWITCHED FUEL TANKS TO TRY TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE, BUT IT WAS INEFFECTIVE.  PILOT CONTACTED ATC AND DECLARED EMERGENCY WHILE PERFORMING EMERGENCY STEPS PER THE CHECKLIST.  PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE ANY CLEAR LANDING AREAS AROUND HIS LOCATION SO THE PILOT DECIDED TO DITCH THE AIRCRAFT IN LAKE TAHOE.  BOATERS IN THE LAKE RESCUED THE TWO OCCUPANTS.

NTSB IS CONDUCTING FURTHER INVESTIGATION.  AMENDMENTS TO THIS -23 WILL BE MADE ONCE NTSB PROVIDES THEIR FINDINGS.

## 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 WPR23LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA249), Jul 1, 2023: Piper PA-28-140 (N4586R), Meeks Bay, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

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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