North American T-28C accident near Moody, Texas, December 8, 2012
On December 8, 2012 at about 9:30 pm local time, a North American T-28C, registered N280JM, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Moody, Texas (Charping airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 8, 2012 · about 9:30 pm local time · cases in 2012
- Place
- Moody, Texas · Charping · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American T-28C · all T-28Cs on the register
- Registration
- N280JM · registry record · serial 226-166
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, while on a base leg to practice a low approach, the engine suddenly lost total power. The pilot executed an off-airport forced landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount, lower forward fuselage, and the wing spar. A postimpact fire immediately ensued in the engine compartment, which was quickly extinguished with handheld fire extinguishers. An adequate amount of fuel was found on board. An examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during approach (VFR pattern base)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,089 hours in all; 22 in this make and model; 69 in the last 90 days; 39 in the last 30 days; 3,900 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 27, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,049 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 13, 2012; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 8,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Wright R-1820-86B (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: TPL Temple TX at 7:00 pm
- Destination: TPL Temple TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 2,200 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,900 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from KTPL, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on January 5, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Summary of Iics Findings | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maps | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo - View of the Wreckage from the Left Side (FAA Photo) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N280JM on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- North American T-28 206 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- North American 1,297 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Wright R-1820-86B 185 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Charping Airport · nearest airport
- Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in Texas 6,244 since 1982 · 1,063 in the last ten years
- Texas 29,976 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN13LA097.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.