Piper PA28R accident near Mckinney, Texas, April 18, 2021
On April 18, 2021, a 1969 Piper PA28R, registered N2973R, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Mckinney, Texas (Mckinney Ntl airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 18, 2021
- Place
- Mckinney, Texas · Mckinney Ntl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28R 200, built 1969 · all PA28Rs on the register
- Registration
- N2973R · registry record · serial 28R-35358
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student was turning from base to final in the airport traffic pattern when the engine lost total power. The student transferred control of the airplane to the instructor; the airplane sustained substantial damage during the subsequent forced landing to an open field. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies. The fuel selector handle was found near one of the two OFF detent positions; however, the position of the fuel selector at the time of the loss of power could not be determined. Based on the available information, 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
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Unknown or undetermined during approach (VFR pattern base)
- Off-field or emergency landing during approach (VFR pattern base)
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach (VFR pattern base)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 743 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 208 in the last 90 days; 59 in the last 30 days; 672 as pilot in command; 356 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 26, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 21 hours in all; 1 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,679 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 6, 2021; 0.2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming Engines IO-360-C1C (piston); 4,679 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: F46 Rockwall TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 7,002 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KTKI, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KTKI 180053Z 35007KT 10SM CLR 14/04 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP194 T01390044
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 2 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN21LA193.