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 October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 8, 2012 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Moody, Texas · Charping · 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
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.