Piper J4A accident near Omaha, Nebraska, May 30, 2021
On May 30, 2021 at about 2:55 pm local time, a 1940 Piper J4A, registered N8501Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Omaha, Nebraska (North Omaha airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to a blocked fuel tank cap vent hole, which resulted in fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the mechanic’s and the pilot’s inadequate inspections of the fuel tank cap.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 30, 2021 · about 2:55 pm local time
- Place
- Omaha, Nebraska · North Omaha · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper J4A NO SERIES, built 1940 · all J4As on the register
- Registration
- N8501Z · no longer on the register · serial 4-1231
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During takeoff, the airplane traveled about three-quarters of the way down the runway and climbed to about 300 ft above ground level. The engine sputtered once and stopped producing power. The pilot switched the fuel selector from the forward fuel tank to the auxiliary fuel tank and unsuccessfully tried to restart the engine. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing, and the airplane impacted the ground. The pilot reported that fuel was pouring into the cockpit after the airplane came to rest, and he quickly exited the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. A postaccident examination revealed that the forward fuel tank cap was not the correct part for the airplane; the cap had an unknown part number etched on it with no manufacturer name displayed. The fuel tank cap appeared to be manufactured with a single vent hole and was equipped with two worn gaskets stacked under the cap. The lower gasket had multiple visible cracks present on both sides of it. The upper gasket was wrinkled and was displaced toward the vent hole, which blocked the venting capability of the fuel tank. For the accident model airplane, the sole source of venting for the forward fuel tank was through a vented fuel tank cap. The pilot reported that the forward fuel tank cap was on the airplane when he purchased it several years ago. The pilot did not have any knowledge of the origin or the background of the forward fuel tank cap. It is likely the engine sustained fuel starvation during the takeoff due to blockage of the forward fuel tank cap vent hole. Based on the available evidence, it could not be determined when the vent hole became blocked. The accident occurred 39 days and 2.3 flight hours after the most recent annual inspection. During the inspection, the mechanic should have observed the multiple visible cracks present on both sides of the lower gasket in the fuel tank cap. Further, during the preflight inspection, the pilot should have observed the multiple visible cracks present on both sides of the lower gasket in the fuel tank cap. Had the deficiencies with the fuel tank cap gasket been observed during the annual inspection or preflight, it is likely the fuel tank cap would have been replaced.
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 takeoff
- Fuel starvation during takeoff
- Fuel related during takeoff defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Damaged/degraded
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Scheduled/routine inspection › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 180 hours in all; 35 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 91 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 23, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,653.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 14, 2021; 2.3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,301 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor C85-12F (piston); 35 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17/3, 3,173 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 am from KBTA, 5 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KBTA 301455Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM -RA BKN070 OVC090 13/09 A3023 RMK AO2 T01300093
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
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 CEN21LA242.