# NTSB WPR24LA178: Piper PA-28-180, N7838W, Nephi, UT, May 31, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 31, 2024, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Nephi, UT - Coordinates: 39.763734, -111.86835 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7637&lon=-111.8684&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 194396 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194396/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194396 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA178 ## Probable cause The pilot’s incorrect movement of the fuel selector valve to an off or restricted position, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during cruise flight, about 900 to 1,000 ft above ground level, he switched fuel tanks, and shortly after, the engine began to sputter and lose power. He attempted to troubleshoot by advancing the mixture and throttle levers, however, was unable to restore engine power and initiated a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll, the nose wheel dug into soft terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount and right wing. The pilot stated that he may have placed the fuel selector valve to an intermediate position and not within the fuel selector detents, which likely starved the engine for fuel. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7838W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7838W-2026-01-31), registration cancelled 2026-01-31, S/N 28-1855, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-180 - 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: 28-1855 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 5967 - Engines: Lycoming )-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 2024, 9 hours before - Departed: PVU, Provo, UT - Destination: PVU, Provo, UT - Airport: U14, Nephi Municipal - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 14, 2024; seat: left; flight hours: 1,306 total, 29 in this make and model, 439 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20240531006169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240531006169A), May 31, 2024: Piper PA-28-180, Nephi, UT, Substantial damage. The commercial pilot during the cruise phase of flight experienced loss of power. The aircraft was at a low altitude and did not give adequate time to review… ## Other investigations on N7838W (1) 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 NYC66F0271](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66F0271), Sep 18, 1965: Piper PA-28 (N7838W), Gloucester, VA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 19, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194396. 6.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17944205&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Barrington_AAA%20NTSB%20Form%206120%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17943505&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC_Pilot%27s%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17302329&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20for%20WPR24LA178-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.