Piper PA-28-140 accident near Pensacola, Florida, July 11, 2012
On July 11, 2012 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-140, registered N6258J, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Pensacola, Florida (Ferguson Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 11, 2012 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Pensacola, Florida · Ferguson Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N6258J · no longer on the register · serial 28-7625236
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During initial climb, as the airplane crossed over a tree line at the end of the runway, both pilots noticed that the engine was producing only partial power. The pilots attempted to return to the departure runway operating on partial engine power; however, the engine sputtered and lost more power. The airplane impacted a swamp before it reached the runway. Examination of the wreckage revealed that adequate fuel remained in both wing fuel tanks. Additionally, examination of the engine and its accessories did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Comparison of the recorded temperature and dew point to a carburetor icing chart revealed no susceptibility to carburetor ice at the time of the accident.
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 (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 88 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 34 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 31, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,406 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2011; 22 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 82J Pensacola FL at 11:30 pm
- Destination: 82J Pensacola FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 3,200 ft by 200 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; a few clouds at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 11:56 pm from NPA, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 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.