# NTSB WPR24LA269: Protech PT2, N657MJ, Lodi, CA, August 3, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 3, 2024, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Lodi, CA - Coordinates: 38.20011, -121.20955 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2001&lon=-121.2095&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 194856 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA269 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194856/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194856 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA269 ## Probable cause A reported loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Hayes James E PT 2 PROTECH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=05627JF), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Hayes James E PT 2 PROTECH, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=05627JF), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot, who held a student pilot certificate, stated that he maneuvered in the local area after departure. After about 40 minutes, he started to return to the airport. With the airplane about 2,000 ft above ground level (agl), the engine lost all power. Despite his attempts, the engine would not start, and the pilot maneuvered toward a field to make an off-airport emergency landing. During the landing touchdown, the airplane impacted a grapevine, substantially damaging the left wing struts. The pilot did not respond to investigators’ requests to examine the airplane. Therefore, the investigation was unable to determine the reason for the reported loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 2024, about 1245 Pacific daylight time, a Protech PT2 experimental amateur-built airplane, N657MJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lodi, California. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot, who held a student pilot certificate, stated that he maneuvered in the local area after departure. After about 40 minutes, he started to return to the airport. With the airplane about 2,000 ft agl, the engine lost all power. Despite his attempts, the engine would not start, and the pilot maneuvered toward a field to make an off-airport emergency landing. During the landing touchdown, the airplane impacted a grapevine, substantially damaging the left wing struts. The pilot stated that just before impact, the fuel tanks were both ¼ full, and there were six gallons of fuel on board at the last takeoff. The pilot did not respond to numerous attempts to contact him by NTSB investigators and FAA inspectors, and they were unable to examine the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N657MJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N657MJ), registered now, S/N PT 1135, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PROTECH PT2 - Registry model: [Hayes James E PT 2 PROTECH](https://openairdocs.org/model/hayes-james-e-pt-2-protech) (registry code 05627JF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a1a) (registry code 42098, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: PT 1135 - Year built: 1992 - Airframe hours: 2218.6 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-1A10 150 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 7, 2024, 21.4 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 1O3, Lodi ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 120 total, 12 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KSCK, 1 nm away - METAR: KSCX 031855Z VRB04KT 10SM CLR 35/11 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP131 T03500111 ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194856. 7.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 87 pages, 7.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19748049&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pictures (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19747172&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=C-Form%20Photos-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.