# NTSB CEN24LA039: Piper PA32, N16253, Ozark, MO, November 17, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 17, 2023, 15:24 local (21:24 UTC) - Place: Ozark, MO - Coordinates: 36.996031, -93.248258 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9960&lon=-93.2483&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193403 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193403/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193403 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA039 ## Probable cause A reported total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Piper PA-32-300, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7103212), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis During cruise flight, the airplane’s engine sustained a total loss of power. Unable to restore engine power, the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the approach to landing, the airplane collided with a power line and subsequently impacted terrain and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane confirmed that fuel was present in all four tanks, and no mechanical anomalies were noted with the engine that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the postaccident examination, the magnetos would not produce spark, likely due to water intrusion from outside storage of the wreckage following the accident. The reason for the total loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On November 17, 2023, about 1524 central standard time, a Piper PA32-300 airplane, N16253, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ozark, Missouri. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot reported the airplane’s four fuel tanks were full after refueling before departing the Quincy Regional Airport–Baldwin Field (UIN), Quincy, Illinois. The airplane departed and flew a total of 30 minutes on the left tank, 30 minutes on the left tip tank, and about 20 to 25 minutes on the right tip tank, when the engine sustained a total loss of power. The pilot switched to the right main tank and attempted to restart the engine. Unable to restore engine power, the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the approach to landing, the airplane collided with a power line, and the airplane subsequently impacted terrain and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector confirmed that adequate fuel was found in all the fuel lines and fuel tanks except for the left tip tank, which was breached. The fuel selector operated normally, and the selector tank position detents were identified while rotating the selector. A postaccident examination of the engine did not find any mechanical anomalies. Residual fuel found in the fuel servo tested negative for water. When functionally tested, the magnetos would not produce spark, as water was noted in the magnetos. Since the accident occurred, the wreckage had been stored outside. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16253](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N16253), registered now, S/N 32-7340080 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA32 (300) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7340080 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 4979.52 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Quincy Aircraft LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 2023, 50 hours before - Departed: KUIN, Quincy, IL - Destination: 4M1, Berryville, AR - Airport: n/a - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,140 total, 280 in this make and model, 2,140 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KSGF, 16 nm away - METAR: KSGF 172052Z 34008KT 10SM CLR 16/09 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP159 T01560089 53007 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20231117021119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231117021119A), Nov 17, 2023: Piper PA-32-300, Ozark, MO, Substantial damage. According to the pilot, while in route from quincy ill (kuni) to berryville ar (4MI) at cruise altitude of 4500 MSL, with the fuel slector in the right tip… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 14, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193403. 17.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16830628&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=cen24la039%20NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 746 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16832120&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA039%20Photos-Rel.pdf - Engine examination (item 3, PDF, 8 pages, 6 photos, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16832024&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN24LA039%20Engine%20Examination-Rel.pdf - Logbook excerpt (item 4, PDF, 11 pages, 6.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16847433&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Logbook%20Excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16884151&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=xN16253%20Release%20of%20Bulk%20Wreckage%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.