Piper PA28 accident near Taylor, Texas, May 27, 2024
On May 27, 2024 at about 4:45 pm local time, a 1973 Piper PA28, registered N56466, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Taylor, Texas (Taylor Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power due to an incorrect carburetor air inlet hose, which led to a reduction in air flow to the engine.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 27, 2024 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Taylor, Texas · Taylor Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 140, built 1973 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N56466 · no longer on the register · serial 287325634
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during the carburetor heat check on the engine run-up, the engine sounded like it backfired and then lost rpm. A second carburetor heat check was performed, and the engine operated normally. During initial climb after takeoff there was a decrease in engine rpm. The pilot verified that the engine controls were full forward and executed a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane struck the top of a berm, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the engine showed evidence that the engine had a rich fuel-air mixture present at the time of the accident. Following the examination, the engine was test run multiple times. During the test runs, the engine performed without hesitation or stumbling when repeated aggressive throttle movements were made. Further examination showed that the carburetor air inlet hose was not the proper part and was not made to the manufacturer’s specifications. The engine was run without any notable issues when the carburetor air inlet hose was not attached. Due to the damage to the engine mount and cowlings, it was not possible to replicate the carburetor air inlet hose installation and failure mode at the time of the accident, but the effects of reduced airflow were demonstrated and were similar to the pilot’s reported loss of rpm. Based on the available information, the carburetor air inlet hose likely partially collapsed during the initial climb which resulted in a partial 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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › Air intake › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 436.2 hours in all; 126.1 in this make and model; 34.7 in the last 90 days; 1.2 in the last 30 days; 319 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 13, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,386.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 1, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D3G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: T74 Taylor TX at 4:15 pm
- Destination: SEP Stephenville TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 4,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 82°F (28°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 am from KEDC, 13 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KEDC 271655Z AUTO 12003KT 4SM HZ CLR 32/28 A2993 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 5 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Accident Site
Photograph 2 – Airplane dataplate
Photograph 3 – Fuselage damage
Photograph 4 – Engine – right side
Photograph 5 – Engine – left sideThe 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
12 documents, released by the NTSB on February 20, 2025. 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, 12 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot (6-6-2024) | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot (7-18-2024) | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Memorandum of Record - Air Inlet Hose Exam Results | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | FAA Saib CE14-23 Powerplant, Air Intake | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Piper Service Letter 1141 | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Engine Examination Summary | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Photos | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 11 | Memorandum of Record - Performance Information | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 12 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 4 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.