Piper PA28R accident near Mcgregor, Texas, June 29, 2010
On June 29, 2010 at about 3:42 pm local time, a Piper PA28R, registered N4627J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mcgregor, Texas (Mc Gregor Executive Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the severity of injuries was the airplane's lack of shoulder harnesses.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 2010 · about 3:42 pm local time
- Place
- Mcgregor, Texas · Mc Gregor Executive Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28R 180 · all PA28Rs on the register
- Registration
- N4627J · registry record · serial 28R-30514
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor and private pilot were completing a circle-to-land maneuver on an instrument approach after breaking out of overcast clouds at approximately 1,300 feet above ground level (AGL). While on the circle-to-land downwind leg, at approximately 1,100 feet AGL, the pilot turned on the electric boost pump, switched the fuel tank selector valve from the right to left tank, and observed positive fuel pressure. The engine then began to sputter and the flight instructor went to full power with the throttle and switched back to the right tank. The engine sounded like it might rev up but then quit completely. The flight instructor took control and executed an engine-out forced landing on airport property short of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the spars of both wings and all three landing gear. Both pilots received minor injuries during the impact sequences, and both were able to exit the airplane unassisted. Both pilots reported that there was adequate fuel in both tanks. An examination of the airplane's engine and other systems showed no anomalies. The facility that refueled the airplane before the flight reported that postaccident fuel quality checks of the tank farm and the refueler were nominal. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses. Because of the airplane’s year of manufacture shoulder harness installation was not required. The flight instructor said the injuries to his face would have been lessened if he had been wearing a shoulder harness.
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
What happened, in order
- Approach-circling (IFR) Fuel related
- Approach-circling (IFR) Loss of engine power (total) defining event
- Fuel starvation during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Cabin safety event during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Equipment/furnishings › (general) › Not specified
Flight instructor
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 962 hours in all; 49 in this make and model; 163 in the last 90 days; 52 in the last 30 days; 749 as pilot in command; 679 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 29, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 158 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 42 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 72 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 31, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,807 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 14, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Aurora Aviation, LLC
The flight
- Departed from: PWG Mcgregor TX at 1:25 pm
- Destination: PWG Mcgregor TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 35, 5,501 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,100 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 1:35 pm from PWG, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.