# NTSB WPR23LA232: Piper PA-28-140, N3508K, Rochester, NV, June 17, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 16, 2023, 22:57 local (Jun 17, 2023, 05:57 UTC)
- Place: Rochester, NV
- Coordinates: 40.317, -118.079
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3170&lon=-118.0790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192406
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192406/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192406
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA232

## Probable cause

A broken fuel line fitting that resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

## Findings

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

- [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md)
- [Engine fuel and control: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057310): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057310/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057310/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-140, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=7102802), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was on a cross-country flight when the engine lost power during cruise flight. He said the engine rpm initially decreased from 2,400 rpm to 950 rpm, before decreasing until the engine lost all power. The pilot stated that he did not hear any unusual noises from the engine at the time it lost power, but he observed the fuel flow initially increase from 7.2 gallons per hour (gph) to 9 gph, before continuing to increase to 15 gph. He performed the emergency checklist for loss of engine power inflight but was unable to restart the engine. The pilot had the left fuel tank selected when the loss of power occurred. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an area of flat terrain. During the landing, all three landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The engine and fuel system were examined and the fuel line fitting connecting the fuel second flow sensor to the fuel line that ran to the carburetor was found broken. About 15 gallons of fuel remained in the left fuel tank and the right fuel tank was breached during the impact. No additional anomalies were noted during the examination of the engine and airframe. The pilot’s observations of the fuel flow readings increasing as the engine lost power and his inability to restart the engine are consistent with the fuel line fitting breaking inflight, resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Complete maintenance records were not available to determine when the fuel flow sensors had been installed or if any maintenance had been performed on the suspect fuel fitting after installation.

## Factual narrative

On June 16, 2023, at 2257 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N3508K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rochester, Nevada. The pilot was uninjured, and the passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported he was on a cross-country flight when the engine lost power about three hours into the flight. During cruise flight at 11,500 ft mean sea level, he observed a partial loss of engine power. He said the engine rpm initially decreased from 2,400 rpm to 950 rpm, before decreasing to 450 rpm. The engine rpm continued to decay until the engine lost all power. The pilot stated he did not hear any unusual noises from the engine at the time it lost power, but he observed the fuel flow initially increase from 7.2 gallons per hour (gph) to 9 gph, before continuing to increase to 15 gph and “then above redline.” He performed the emergency checklist for loss of engine power inflight but was unable to restart the engine. He stated he could not recall if the fuel flow increased when he turned on the auxiliary fuel pump as he performed the emergency checklist. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an area of flat terrain. During the landing, all three landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot added that at the time of the accident there would have been about 30 gallons of fuel remaining on board. During recovery of the wreckage, about 15 gallons of fuel were removed from the intact left wing fuel tank, and the right wing fuel tank was breached. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location and examined. The interior upholstery on the left side of the cockpit where the fuel selector valve was located had been removed during recovery and the fuel lines leading to the fuel selector valve had been disconnected. The fuel lines were intact from the fuel selector through both the electrical and mechanical fuel pumps. There were two Dynon Avionics fuel flow sensors installed in the fuel line immediately before the carburetor. The fuel line fitting connecting the second fuel flow sensor to the fuel line that ran to the carburetor was found broken. The carburetor was impact damaged and separated from the intake at the carburetor throat. The electrical fuel pump ran as commanded when electrical power was applied and the switch was turned on, and 2-3 oz of liquid consistent with 100LL aviation fuel was recovered. No water or contaminants were observed in the liquid. The mechanical fuel pump was removed from the engine and a small amount of liquid consistent in smell with 100 LL fuel escaped the unit when it was removed. Suction was felt on the intake side of the pump when the pump was manually operated following removal. The engine was examined and no anomalies were noted that would have prevented the normal production of power. A Dynon EFIS-D10A unit was removed from theairframe and sent to the National Transportation Safety Board recorders laboratory. The unit did not contain any engine performance data. The airframe and engine logbooks were not provided to investigators during the investigation and limited maintenance history was obtained.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3508K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3508K), registered now, S/N 28-23594 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-23594
- Year built: 1967
- Airframe hours: 3773
- Engines: Lycoming reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Turnquest Alexis A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 2022, 30 hours before
- Departed: U42, South Valley, UT
- Airport: NA
- Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 14, 2022; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 330 total, 200 in this make and model, 251 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: KLOL, 27 nm away
- METAR: KLOL 170553Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 15/02 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP161 T01500022 10267 20150 51006

## 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 20230616013159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230616013159A), Jun 16, 2023: Piper PA-28-140, Rochester, NV, Substantial damage. Flight from south valley, ut to lovelock, NV. During cruise, the engine suddenly lost power. Pilot utilized checklist and began to check fuel primer settings…

## Docket (8 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 26, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192406. 7.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17414121&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Wreckage examination report (item 2, PDF, 8 pages, 4 photos, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18281998&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Examination%20Report%20WPR23LA232-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 3, PDF, 8 pages, 7 photos, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17413685&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20WPR23LA232-Rel.pdf
- Electronic flight information system - specialist's factual report (item 4, PDF, 6 pages, 3 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16269350&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Electronic%20Flight%20Information%20System%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual-Rel.pdf
- Electronic flight information system - specialist's factual - attachment 1 - tabular data (item 5, CSV, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16269012&FileExtension=csv&FileName=Electronic%20Flight%20Information%20System%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20-%20Attachment%201%20-%20Tabular%20Data-Rel.csv
- Electronic flight information system - specialist's factual - attachment 2 - tabular data (item 6, CSV, 655 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16269117&FileExtension=csv&FileName=Electronic%20Flight%20Information%20System%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20-%20Attachment%202%20-%20Tabular%20Data-Rel.csv
- Maintenance records - mfr (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 815 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18244274&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR%20-%20Maintenance%20Records_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17414216&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Retention-Release-of-Wreckage-Form%20Signed%202_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.

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