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).
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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 18, 2021 · cases in 2021
- Place
- Mckinney, Texas · Mckinney Ntl · cases near this airport · 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 other cases naming the engine
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined other cases naming the engine
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Photographs from the investigation 8 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photo 1 – Distant view of the airplane at the accident site
Photo 2 – Close up view of the airplane at the accident site
Photo 3 – Right side view of the airplane after it was recovered from the accident site
Photo 4 – Left side view of the airplane after it was recovered from the accident site
Photo 5 – Right side view of the engine
Photo 6 – Left side view of the engine
Photo 7 – View of the cockpit
Photo 8 – View of the fuel selector valve in the cockpitThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on July 28, 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photographs | PDF, 8 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Examination Reports | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Additional Documents | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
| 5 | NTSB Party Member Form | 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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N2973R on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Piper PA-28 Cherokee, Warrior, Archer and Arrow 18,639 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Piper 44,848 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Lycoming Engines IO-360-C1C 45 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Mckinney Ntl Airport · nearest airport
- Ralph M Hall/Rockwall Municipal · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in Texas 6,244 since 1982 · 1,065 in the last ten years
- Texas 29,945 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN21LA193.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.