# NTSB ERA24LA369: Piper PA-28-181, N512AF, Somerville, NJ, September 4, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 4, 2024, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Somerville, NJ - Coordinates: 40, -74 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0000&lon=-74.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 8, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195066 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA369 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195066/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195066 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA369 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to an undetermined fuel delivery issue. ## 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-28-181, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102807), [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 go-around: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-181, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102807), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that they observed a group of deer on the runway while landing. They initiated a go-around; during the climb-out, the engine lost power. The instructor took over control of the airplane and maneuvered back toward the airport to land on a grass runway. Unable to maintain altitude, the airplane collided with trees. Maintenance records documented two previous reports that included low oil pressure, a rough-running engine at idle power, and momentary engine roughness in flight, which could not be replicated during maintenance troubleshooting. Postaccident examination of the airplane and engine revealed the fuel system was intact, with no contamination or obstructions, and the engine controls were found properly positioned and unrestricted. During a test run of the engine, an intermittent loss of power was observed when the electric fuel boost pump was off, suggesting a potential fuel delivery issue. A subsequent bench test of the engine-driven fuel pump revealed that it operated normally. A teardown examination of the engine’s fuel servo revealed that it exhibited evidence of fuel contamination, possibly related to a previous flooding condition, though the source of the contamination could not be precisely determined. ## Factual narrative On September 4, 2024, about 1930 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-181, N512AF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Somerset Airport (SMQ), Somerville, New Jersey. The flight instructor was not injured and the pilot receiving instruction received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that during a practice landing they saw a group of deer on the runway. He said that they initiated a go-around and during the initial climb he noticed an abnormal engine noise. He stated they were able to climb to about 275 ft above mean sea level before the airplane would no longer climb. He stated the peak engine power was 2,000 rpm and that the airplane’s performance rapidly degraded. He stated the propeller continued to turn; however, no thrust was being produced. The flight instructor reported he took over control of the airplane and made a shallow turn toward the intersecting grass runway. He stated he was able to maneuver the airplane to the edge of the grass runway, but they were over the edge of a tree line when the airplane descended into the trees. A review of the maintenance records revealed two notable events. A logbook entry dated July 9, 2024, indicated that a pilot reported low oil pressure, rough idle, and an unresponsive throttle. Troubleshooting did not replicate the issues, though the oil pressure was adjusted. Another logbook entry dated August 13, 2024, indicated a pilot reported momentary engine roughness during flight. Troubleshooting after both events found no anomalies, and the issues could not be duplicated. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane after it was recovered from the accident. During the examination, the inspector noted that the fuel selector was in the left-wing fuel tank position. A continuity check of the fuel system, the left fuel tank, fuel vent, fuel strainer (gascolator) and electric fuel pump revealed no anomalies. A fuel sample taken from the strainer confirmed the presence of 100LL AvGas and was absent of water or debris contamination. The engine was intact, with minimal damage to the propeller and spinner, and no significant defects were observed apart from damage to the exhaust system components consistent with impact. The throttle control was observed in the full open position and the mixture control was set to full rich. Both the throttle and mixture controls on the fuel control exhibited full, unrestricted motion, with no obstructions identified in the induction system. The engine-driven fuel pump was removed and disassembled, revealing a slight blue residue between the diaphragms, but no other anomalies noted. After reassembly and reinstallation of the engine-driven fuel pump, the engine was mounted on a test stand with a fuel supply for ground testing. During testing, tests of the magnetos were normal; however, the engine intermittently lost powerwhen the electric fuel boost pump was turned off. With the boost pump on, the engine maintained normal idle power and achieved full rpm at maximum throttle. The engine’s fuel servo was removed and forwarded by the airplane’s operator to its manufacturer for further examination. According to the operator, the fuel servo exhibited evidence of fuel contamination within the servo. The precise source of the fuel contamination could not be determined. The engine-driven fuel pump was also bench tested with no anomalies noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N512AF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N512AF), registered now, S/N 28020043, built 2021 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-B4A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-b4a) (registry code 41867, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28020043 - Year built: 2021 - Airframe hours: 3021 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 2024 - Departed: MMU, Morristown, NJ - Destination: MMU, Morristown, NJ - Airport: SMQ, Somerset, runway 26, 1,923 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,228 total, 1,147 in this make and model, 1,150 as pilot in command, 248 in the last 90 days, 76 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 33; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 25, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 260 total, 160 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.38 inHg - Observed at: KSMQ, 48 nm away - METAR: KSMQ 042153Z AUTO 11004KT 10SM CLR 24/11 A3038 RMK AO2 SLP288 T02390111 ## 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 20240904014379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240904014379A), Sep 4, 2024: Piper PA-28-181, Bedminster, NJ, Substantial damage. On 9/4/24 [privacy data omitted] attempted a go around after seeing multiple deer on the runway and crashing into the trees on the right side of runway 26. The… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 8, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195066. 32.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 22 pages, 26.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18143021&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20forms%20LA369_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - engine examination summary (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18170057&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20engine%20examination%20LA369-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - follow-up examination of fuel servo and engine-driven fuel pump (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20819500&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Follow%20up%20Examination%20LA369-Rel.pdf - Maintenance logbook record excerpts (item 4, PDF, 8 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20747636&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MX%20logbook%20excerpts%20LA369_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 5, PDF, 9 pages, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18143239&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Cert%20of%20Party%20N512AF_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 6, PDF, 4 pages, 674 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18169894&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos%20LA369-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20756070&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Retention-Release-of-Wreckage-Form%20LA369_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.