Piper PA-24-250 accident near Troy, Alabama, October 23, 2003
On October 23, 2003 at about 10:14 pm local time, a Piper PA-24-250, registered N5920P, was substantially damaged in an accident near Troy, Alabama. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The certified flight instructor's improper fuel management resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting in a forced landing, in-flight collision with trees and ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 23, 2003 · about 10:14 pm local time
- Place
- Troy, Alabama · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-24-250 · all PA-24-250s on the register
- Registration
- N5920P · no longer on the register · serial 24-1007
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot receiving flight instruction was on approach for landing at 200 feet and 1/2 mile from the end of the runway when the engine quit. The certified flight instructor (CFI) took over the controls, switched the fuel tanks, and attempted an engine restart with negative results. The CFI stated he raised the flaps and landing gear, and the airplane collided with trees and the ground. Neither the pilot receiving instruction nor the CFI could remember what fuel tank they had started the accident flight on. Examination of the airplane revealed the right wing was detached at the wing root. The right fuel tank was not ruptured and no fuel was present on the ground. Five gallons of fuel was recovered from the right wing. The pilot and CFI estimated they had 26 gallons in each fuel tank upon departure. The airplane flight manual indicates the airplane will hold 30 gallons in each fuel tank. The left fuel tank was not ruptured and no fuel was present in the fuel tank or ground. The landing gear was down. All linkage from the throttle, mixture, and propeller controls to the engine was intact and operable. The airplane was recovered for further examination. The left and right fuel tanks were filled with water and no leaks were observed. The propeller was removed and a test propeller installed. A fuel line from an external fuel source was connected at the left and right fuel finger screens, and the selector valve in the airplane was placed in the left and right fuel position for each engine start. The engine started in both positions, ran, and developed power.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot (unmanned)
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 936 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 31 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 859 as pilot in command; 555 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 30, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 516 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 65 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 429 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 23, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,339 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 22, 2003; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-A1CS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ARA New Iberia LA at 7:45 pm
- Destination: TOI Troy AL
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from TOI, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.