Piper PA 28-180 accident near Frankenmuth, Michigan, September 18, 2013
On September 18, 2013 at about 11:20 pm local time, a 1967 Piper PA 28-180, registered N4756L, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Frankenmuth, Michigan (Wm 'Tiny' Zehnder Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An intermittent loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations revealed no 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
- September 18, 2013 · about 11:20 pm local time
- Place
- Frankenmuth, Michigan · Wm 'Tiny' Zehnder Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 28-180, built 1967 · all PA 28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N4756L · registry record · serial 28-4086
- 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 an intermittent engine power loss occurred during the initial takeoff climb. Despite troubleshooting efforts, the engine continued to run intermittently as the pilot initiated a turn back toward the airport. The pilot attempted to land on the runway but then chose to conduct a forced landing to a hayfield. The airplane subsequently rolled into a cornfield and was substantially damaged. Postaccident examinations of the airframe, engine, and fuel system revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded temperature and dew point at the time of the accident was conducive for the accumulation of carburetor icing during glide power settings. However, the intermittent engine power loss occurred while the airplane was at a high-throttle setting during initial climb, which was not consistent with carburetor icing.
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 (partial) during initial climb
- Hard landing during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 72 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 40 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 28, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,837 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 18, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 SER (piston); 2,837 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 66G Frankenmuth MI at 11:18 pm
- Destination: 66G Frankenmuth MI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 11:34 pm from KHYX, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.