Piper PA-28R-201 accident near Olathe, Kansas, February 4, 2022
On February 4, 2022 at about 6:00 pm local time, a 1977 Piper PA-28R-201, registered N5145W, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Olathe, Kansas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 4, 2022 · about 6:00 pm local time · cases in 2022
- Place
- Olathe, Kansas · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-201, built 1977 · all PA-28R-201s on the register
- Registration
- N5145W · no longer on the register · serial 28R-7837098
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot landed at the airport and added fuel to the airplane. On departure, when the airplane was about 700 ft above ground level, the engine stopped producing power. Recorded engine data showed a decrease in engine rpm, cylinder head temperature, and exhaust gas temperature about 2 minutes after takeoff. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage and wings. An examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal any preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The engine’s throttle body and fuel flow divider were sent for further examination. The bench test of the fuel servo indicated that the fuel flow was within tolerances; however, the idle fuel flow was lean with the metering head increased to the maximum limit. The examination of fuel servo and fuel flow divider found contamination with a substance consistent with a lubricant normally used during the assembly of the fuel servo. The fuel flow was within tolerances, and it is unlikely that the contamination would have resulted in the loss of engine power. Investigators were unable to determine the reason for the loss of engine power.
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 initial climb defining event
- Fuel contamination during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined other cases naming the engine
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OJC Olathe KS at 5:53 pm
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 25°F (-4°C), dew point 1°F (-17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.45 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from KOJC
Weather report (METAR): KOJC 041753Z 25011KT 10SM CLR M04/M17 A3045 RMK AO2 SLP328 T10391172 11039 21150 58006
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The 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
9 documents, released by the NTSB on March 28, 2024. 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 Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum Notification | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Data Monitor - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Attachment 1 to Engine Data Monitor - Specialist's Factual Report_tabular Data | data file | Download |
| 6 | Attachment 2 to Engine Data Monitor - Specialist's Factual Report_tabular Data | data file | Download |
| 7 | Record of Conversation FAA Fuel Servo Exam | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 9 | Log Excerpt Overhaul | 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
- N5145W: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- 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 IO-360-C1C 45 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Johnson County Executive · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Kansas 1,147 since 1982 · 150 in the last ten years
- Kansas 5,731 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN22LA115.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.