Piper PA-28-161 accident near Blossvale, New York, August 3, 2010
On August 3, 2010 at about 12:45 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-161, registered N9101M, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Blossvale, New York (Becks Grove 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
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 3, 2010 · about 12:45 pm local time
- Place
- Blossvale, New York · Becks Grove Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-161 · all PA-28-161s on the register
- Registration
- N9101M · no longer on the register · serial 28--8516039
- 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 shortly after takeoff, at about 100 to 150 feet above ground level, the engine began to lose power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and the engine subsequently lost all power. The airplane then collided with trees during a forced landing about 1,200 feet east of the departure end of the runway. The pilot reported that there was adequate fuel on board for the flight; both fuel tanks were damaged during the collision and there was evidence of leaking fuel at the site. An examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preexisting mechanical anomalies. While the airplane was operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing at glide power at the time of the accident, the investigation was unable to determine if carburetor ice caused the power loss.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 1,047 hours in all; 22 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 992 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 20, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,087 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2009; 58 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,325 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0-320-D3G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: K16 Blossvale NY at 12:45 pm
- Destination: HPN White Plains NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 06, 3,000 ft by 23 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,700 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from RME, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.