# NTSB ERA23LA117: Piper PA-28-140, N7470R, Buford, GA, January 24, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 24, 2023, 16:42 local (21:42 UTC) - Place: Buford, GA · On Interstate 985 - Coordinates: 34.05, -84.03 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0500&lon=-84.0300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106633 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106633/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106633 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA117 ## Probable cause Water contamination in the fuel system that was not observed during the preflight inspection, resulting in a total loss of engine power and forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot and his flight instructor were on a local flight and were practicing maneuvers before returning to their home airport. Shortly after the student switched fuel tanks, the engine unexpectedly lost all power. The flight instructor confirmed that the throttle was full forward and the mixture was full rich. Unable to reach an airport due to their altitude, the flight instructor performed a forced landing to a local interstate highway. During the landing, the airplane’s nose landing gear collapsed and the right wing was damaged. The pilots were not injured. Examination of the engine, including a test run, revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. During the examination of the carburetor, about 1 ounce of cloudy water was found in the carburetor bowl; no water was found in the gascolator. The flight instructor reported that no water was observed during the preflight inspection. Based on this information, it is likely that, as the student switched fuel tanks, previously undetected water from within the fuel system was introduced into the carburetor, resulting in the total loss of power. ## Factual narrative On January 24, 2023, about 1642 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N7470R, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Buford, Georgia. The flight instructor and a student pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that she and the student pilot practiced several maneuvers in the local area and were returning to their home airport. She asked the student to switch fuel tanks, since it was time to do so. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost all power. She confirmed that the throttle was full forward and the mixture was full rich. Unable to reach an airport due to their altitude, the flight instructor performed a forced landing to a local interstate highway. During the landing, the airplane’s nose landing gear collapsed and the right wing was damaged. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. He reported that the right wing was substantially damaged. The wreckage was recovered to a salvage facility for further examination. The position of the cockpit fuel selector handle prior to the accident could not be determined. The engine was attached to the airframe and the engine mount was undamaged; therefore, a test run of the engine was attempted. A visual examination of the engine revealed no holes or breaches in the engine case, and internal continuity of the drivetrain was confirmed by rotating the engine crankshaft manually. The propeller remained attached to the engine; however, the blade tips were visibly bent. The spark plugs were removed and exhibited light brown color and normal wear when compared to a Champion Check-A-Plug chart. The engine was started and ran without hesitation or stumbling from idle to about 2,100 rpm. The test run was concluded after 2 minutes. An examination of the fuel system revealed the right-wing fuel tank was breached from impact forces and was empty of fuel. The fuel cap was secured and in place. The cap seal was supple. The left-wing fuel tank was intact and was empty of fuel. The fuel cap was secured and in place. The cap seal was supple. The gascolator contained about 2 ounces of clean, blue fuel. No water was observed. When the throttle arm was actuated, the accelerator pump expelled liquid, and water droplets were observed on the throttle plate. The carburetor was removed for examination. After partial disassembly, the composite floats and other internal components were observed to be undamaged. The carburetor bowl contained blue fuel and about 1 ounce of cloudy water. The flight instructor reported the preflight inspection of the airplane prior to the accident flight was unremarkable and no water was observed in the fuel system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7470R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7470R-2025-03-01), registration cancelled 2025-03-01, S/N 28-22135, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-E2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-e2a) (registry code 42120, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-22135 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 4640 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2A 150 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Advanced Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 2022, 68 hours before - Departed: LZU, Lawrenceville, GA - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 14, 2022; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 944 total, 44 in this make and model, 778 as pilot in command, 141 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 53; injuries: none; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 34 total, 1 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KLZU, 5 nm away - METAR: METAR KLZU 241856Z 15006KT 10SM CLR 11/M04 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP244 T01111044 ## 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 20230124014249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230124014249A), Jan 24, 2023: Piper PA-28-140, Buford, GA, Substantial damage. During a local visual flight rules (VFR) instruction flight aircraft PA-28-140, [privacy data omitted] called the local controller at klzu for guidance for… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 2, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106633. 8.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15336053&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB records of conversation with CFI (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15336101&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1a%20NTSB%20Records%20of%20Conversation%20with%20CFI-Rel.pdf - NTSB memorandum for record - FAA correspondence with CFI (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15335370&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%20NTSB%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Correspondence%20with%20FAA-Rel.pdf - Student pilot written statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 485 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15336328&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20Student%20Pilot%20Written%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 5, PDF, 8 pages, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15336223&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - NTSB examination summary (item 6, PDF, 6 pages, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15335380&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6%20Engine%20Exam%20Summary%20ERA23LA117-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.