Piper PA46 accident near Lake Elmo, Minnesota, October 2, 2020
On October 2, 2020 at about 8:12 pm local time, a 2001 Piper PA46, registered N62ZM, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Lake Elmo, Minnesota (Lake Elmo airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 2, 2020 · about 8:12 pm local time
- Place
- Lake Elmo, Minnesota · Lake Elmo · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA46, built 2001 · all PA46s on the register
- Registration
- N62ZM · no longer on the register · serial 4697087
- 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, shortly after takeoff and following landing gear retraction, he noticed a “hiccup” in engine power and immediately started a turn back toward the airport. During the turn, the engine lost total power and the pilot performed a forced landing into a field of standing corn, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. A post-accident examination of the engine, accessories, fuel pump, fuel control unit, flow divider valve, and fuel-oil heat exchanger revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during takeoff defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (turbine/turboprop) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter; rotorcraft: unmanned (suas)
- Flight time: 3,828 hours in all; 42 in this make and model; 59 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 3,710 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 13, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,850 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 55 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,134 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Destination: HQZ Mesquite TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 32, 2,849 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KSTP, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSTP 021953Z 10SM FEW050 10/M03 A3019 RMK AO2 SLP226 T01001033
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on April 6, 2022. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Cockpit Displays & Other Device - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Cockpit Displays & Other Device - Attachment 1 (DEV1 Csv Data) | data file | Download |
| 5 | Cockpit Displays & Other Device - Attachment 2 (DEV2 Csv Data) | data file | Download |
| 6 | Cockpit Displays & Other Device - Attachment 3 (Meggitt Dau Csv Data) | data file | Download |
| 7 | Powerplants Group Chairman's Factual Report | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Powerplants- Attachment 1- Pwc Accessories Accident Report | PDF, 16 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Photos | 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.
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.