Piper PA28 accident near Justin, Texas, June 4, 2021
On June 4, 2021 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 1969 Piper PA28, registered N8208N, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Justin, Texas (Flying S Farm airport). It was a personal 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
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons based upon the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 4, 2021 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Justin, Texas · Flying S Farm · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 140, built 1969 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N8208N · registry record · serial 28-25411
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he and a passenger were to conduct three takeoffs and landings in preparation for the airplane to be sold. Immediately after the third takeoff, when the airplane was about 45 ft above ground level, the engine experienced a loss of power. The left wing dropped, and the airplane descended into trees. The left wing separated at the wing root during the accident sequence and the airplane came to rest suspended in the trees. The pilot stated that the airplane had not received an annual inspection in about 7 years and had not been flown much in recent years. A basic postaccident examination found that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. There was a smell of fuel at the accident site. The left fuel tank was intact and contained about 1 gallon of fuel. The right fuel tank was breached and did not contain any fuel. The fuel selector was positioned to the right tank. The pilot was contacted via email and phone on multiple occasions but did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1. The airplane was moved to private property and the NTSB was unable to examine the wreckage. Based on the limited available evidence, 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 initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway N/S, 2,700 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 11,000 ft; a few clouds at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KAFW, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KAFW 042353Z 08006KT 10SM FEW035 SCT085 BKN110 BKN300 26/17 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP132 CB DSNT SW MOV NW TCU DSNT TCU DSNT E T02610167 10267 20244 56011
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on August 30, 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 | Correspondence - Owner/pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | 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.