# NTSB ERA23LA068: Piper PA28, N7261F, Manassas, VA, November 21, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 21, 2022, 18:05, time zone not recorded - Place: Manassas, VA - Coordinates: 38.712719, -77.506273 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7127&lon=-77.5063&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern crosswind: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 106341 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106341/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106341 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA068 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern crosswind: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot and flight instructor were performing touch-and-go landings, and the airplane was on the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern when the engine lost total power. The flight instructor reported he heard a loud noise come from the engine before the power loss. The student pilot reported that he heard the engine sputter before the power loss. The flight instructor turned back to the airport, but the airplane could not glide to the runway. He landed the airplane hard in a grassy area, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings. An examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical anomalies. Although there was a potential for carburetor icing at glide and cruise engine power settings given the reported temperature and dew point conditions, the engine was reportedly operating at full power when the power loss occurred. Thus, it is unlikely that the loss of engine power was due to carburetor icing. The investigation could not determine the reason for the loss of engine power based on the available evidence. ## Factual narrative On November 21, 2022, about 1805 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N7261F, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Manassas, Virginia. The student pilot was seriously injured, and the flight instructor was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the flight instructor, he and the student pilot performed maneuvers near the airport in a practice area before they returned to the airport to practice touch-and-go landings. They performed four touch-and-go landings without any issues. During the fifth touch-and-go landing, after they took off from runway 16L, the student pilot turned the airplane onto a crosswind leg of the traffic pattern about 950 ft above ground level. The flight instructor then heard a loud noise come from the engine, and the engine lost all power. He immediately took over the controls of the airplane and notified air traffic control of the emergency. He turned the airplane back to the airport and initially planned to land on runway 34R. However, he realized he would not make the runway and lined up with the taxiway. He landed the airplane hard in a grassy area short of the taxiway. According to the student pilot, as he began the turn onto the crosswind leg with the engine operating at full power, he heard a loud sound coming from the engine, and the engine then started to “sputter” and subsequently stopped. The flight instructor immediately took control of the airplane and performed a forced landing. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings. Fuel was present in both wing tanks. During examination of the engine by an airframe and powerplant mechanic, powertrain continuity was established through the engine. Compression and suction were observed in all cylinders. The engine oil filter was clean and clear of debris. The electrical system was functioning properly, and the magnetos were timed correctly. The fuel samples did not detect presence of water or contaminants. There were no anomalies noted with the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The carburetor icing probability chart from Federal Aviation Administration Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin: CE-09-35 Carburetor Icing Prevention, June 30, 2009, showed a probability of icing at glide and cruise power at the temperature and dew point reported at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7261F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7261F-2024-05-11), registration cancelled 2024-05-11, S/N 28-25180, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA28 (140) - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-25180 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 4331.1 - Engines: Lycoming O320 150 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Commonwealth Aviation - Registered owner: N7261f LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 18, 2022 - Airport: HEF, Manassas Regional, runway 16L, 6,200 × 100 ft, concrete - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 38; injuries: none; flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 7, 2022; seat: right; flight hours: 466 total, 37 in this make and model, 262 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 25; injuries: minor; sport pilot; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 17 total, 2 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.33 inHg - Observed at: HEF, 1 nm away - METAR: KHEF 212317Z 18003KT 10SM CLR 02/M06 A3033 RMK AO2 FZRANO ## 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 20221121018159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221121018159A), Nov 21, 2022: Piper PA-28-140, Manassas, VA, Substantial damage. On November 21, 2022, at approximately 1800 local time a student pilot with a certified flight instructor (CFI) on board aircraft [privacy data omitted] a… ## Other investigations on N7261F (3) 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 CHI74FEE04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74FEE04), Jul 21, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N7261F), Lansing, IL, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI73DEE39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73DEE39), Jan 4, 1973: Piper PA-28 (N7261F), Lansing, IL, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA70F0252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70F0252), Dec 14, 1969: Piper PA-28 (N7261F), Bolton, MS, substantial damage ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 2, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106341. 9.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 - flight instructor (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14941585&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120-CFI_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 - student plot (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14941555&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120-student%20pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, CFI pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14941565&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-CFI-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, student pilot (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14940639&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Interview-Student%20pilot-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14941575&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20statement-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14978452&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandom-Rel.pdf - Mechanic statement (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14940649&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=mechanic%20statement-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14940833&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20records_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Carburetor icing chart (item 9, JPG, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14978254&FileExtension=jpg&FileName=Carb%20Ice-Rel.jpg - Investigative photos (item 10, PDF, 2 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14941156&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photo%27s-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.