Piper PA-28-140 accident near De Smet, South Dakota, June 21, 2013
On June 21, 2013 at about 2:00 am local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N589FL, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near De Smet, South Dakota. It was an air show or air race flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures 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
- June 21, 2013 · about 2:00 am local time
- Place
- De Smet, South Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N589FL · no longer on the register · serial 28-7125449
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Air show or air race flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the engine surged during cruise descent and was not developing sufficient power to maintain altitude. She reported that she performed the emergency checklist procedures, including applying carburetor heat, but that they were unsuccessful and that she then executed a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a ditch and a rock, which caused the left main landing gear to collapse and damaged the firewall. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact anomalies with the engine or fuel system that would have precluded normal operation. Fuel was found on board the airplane. The engine behavior was not indicative of carburetor ice. A test run confirmed the engine's ability to function, and no defects were noted.
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 enroute (cruise) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 510 hours in all; 110 in this make and model; 375 as pilot in command; 220 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 23, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D3G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RWL Rawlins WY
- Destination: BKX Brookings SD
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,600 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observation at 2:15 am from BKX, 32 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.