Piper PA-28-140 accident near Borger, Texas, September 5, 2024
On September 5, 2024 at about 1:30 am local time, a 1973 Piper PA-28-140, registered N40939, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Borger, Texas. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate fuel management which led to fuel exhaustion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 5, 2024 · about 1:30 am local time
- Place
- Borger, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140, built 1973 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N40939 · registry record · serial 28-7425191
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he added fuel, bringing the total fuel capacity to 42 gallons prior to departure. He stated that 4 hours and 6 minutes into the flight the engine began to lose power. He switched fuel tanks and turned on the electric fuel pump but was unable to restore engine power. He landed the airplane in a field and the airplane struck trees and a pole resulting in substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that he was about 2 minutes from the destination airport when the power loss occurred. Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed that neither wing fuel tank was compromised, there was no evidence of a fuel leak, and no visible fuel was in either wing fuel tank. ADS-B data showed that the airplane was airborne for 4 hours and 17 minutes as of the last data point received. At that time the airplane was still 36 miles from the destination airport. Based on the airplane’s flight track data it would have required an additional 22 minutes to reach the destination airport. Based on the pilot’s account that the airplane was 2 minutes from the destination, the airplane was airborne for about 4 hours and 37 minutes when the loss of engine power occurred. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.
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
- Fuel exhaustion during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Fuel planning › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 192 hours in all
- Last flight review: March 1, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Grog Holdings LLC
The flight
- Departed from: SNL Shawnee OK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 13 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 8:51 pm from KBGD
Weather report (METAR): METAR KBGD 050151Z AUTO 16013G20KT 10SM CLR 26/16 A3018 RMK AO2 SLP182 T02560161=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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
5 documents, released by the NTSB on January 3, 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 | Record of Conversation with FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Photographs | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | ADS-B Data | spreadsheet | Download |
| 5 | Plots of ADS-B Data | PDF, 2 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.