Piper PA32 accident near Ozark, Missouri, November 17, 2023
On November 17, 2023 at about 9:24 pm local time, a 1973 Piper PA32, registered N16253, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Ozark, Missouri. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A reported total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 17, 2023 · about 9:24 pm local time
- Place
- Ozark, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA32 300, built 1973 · all PA32s on the register
- Registration
- N16253 · registry record · serial 32-7340080
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight, the airplane’s engine sustained a total loss of power. Unable to restore engine power, the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the approach to landing, the airplane collided with a power line and subsequently impacted terrain and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Postaccident examination of the airplane confirmed that fuel was present in all four tanks, and no mechanical anomalies were noted with the engine that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the postaccident examination, the magnetos would not produce spark, likely due to water intrusion from outside storage of the wreckage following the accident. The reason for the total 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
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,140 hours in all; 280 in this make and model; 61 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 2,140 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,979.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 2, 2023; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 (piston); 4,058 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KUIN Quincy IL
- Destination: 4M1 Berryville AR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 2:52 pm from KSGF, 16 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSGF 172052Z 34008KT 10SM CLR 16/09 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP159 T01560089 53007
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on November 14, 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/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Examination | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Logbook Excerpt | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | 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.
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 documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text 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 CEN24LA039.