# NTSB WPR14CA013: Piper PA 28-180, N31BA, Cody, WY, October 11, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 11, 2013, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Cody, WY
- Coordinates: 44.75, -110.183334 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7500&lon=-110.1833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Emergency descent: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88189
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88189/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88189
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA013

## Probable cause

A loss of engine power during climb to cruise for reasons that could not be determined due to no postaccident examination.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md)
- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that about 15 minutes after departure and during the climb to cruise altitude, the engine lost power. The pilot checked the cockpit gauges and switched fuel tanks, however the engine would not restart. A forced landing was initiated and during the descent in mountainous terrain, the airplane collided with trees and the terrain. The wreckage has not been recovered and the reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that about 15 minutes after departure and during the climb to cruise altitude, the engine lost power. The pilot checked the cockpit gauges and switched fuel tanks, however, the engine would not restart. A forced landing was initiated and during the descent in mountainous terrain, the airplane collided with trees and the terrain. The wreckage has not been recovered and the reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31BA-2017-06-21), registration cancelled 2017-06-21, S/N 28-2673, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-180 (180)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2673
- Year built: 1965
- Airframe hours: 5876
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Betzold James E
- Registered owner: Betzold James E
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 2013
- Departed: COD, Cody, WY
- Destination: U02, Blackfoot, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 12, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2,400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88189. 11.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 744 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404580&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- N31BA Maintenance Lobgook Entries (item 2, .PDF, 200 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404581&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=N31BA%20Maintenance%20Lobgook%20Entries-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1. View of terrain and wreckage. Photos 1 thru 4 Courtesy of Yellowstone National Park Service. (item 3, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404587&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20View%20of%20terrain%20and%20wreckage.%20%20Photos%201%20thru%204%20Courtesy%20of%20Yellowstone%20National%20Park%20Service.-Master.PDF
- Photo 2. Top view of wreckage. (item 4, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404583&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Top%20view%20of%20wreckage.-Master.PDF
- Photo 3. Left side view of wreckage. (item 5, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404584&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Left%20side%20view%20of%20wreckage.-Master.PDF
- Photo 4. Bottom view of wreckage. (item 6, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404585&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204.%20Bottom%20view%20of%20wreckage.-Master.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.

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