Piper PA-28-161 accident near Buffalo, New York, August 14, 2014
On August 14, 2014 at about 6:45 pm local time, a 2013 Piper PA-28-161, registered N706GS, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Buffalo, New York (Buffalo Niagara Intl airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine test run revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures 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
- August 14, 2014 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- Buffalo, New York · Buffalo Niagara Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-161, built 2013 · all PA-28-161s on the register
- Registration
- N706GS · no longer on the register · serial 2842391
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor was providing an introductory flight to the passengers. Following an uneventful preflight inspection and engine run-up, the flight instructor prepared to depart. An air traffic controller offered, and the instructor accepted, an intersection takeoff that reduced the runway's 8,800-ft available takeoff length by about half. Shortly after rotation, the engine briefly lost all power. As the flight instructor attempted to troubleshoot the problem, the engine power was briefly restored, and she then decided to return to the airport and land. As she turned the airplane back toward the runway, the engine again lost total power. As the airplane's airspeed decreased, she chose to perform a forced landing to a parking lot, during which the airplane was substantially damaged. A postaccident engine test run revealed no anomalies, and examination of the airframe and fuel system revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures. The reason for the 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
- Loss of engine power (total) 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 (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 453 hours in all; 352 in this make and model; 109 in the last 90 days; 51 in the last 30 days; 403 as pilot in command; 123 on instruments
- Last flight review: December 15, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 187 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 13, 2014; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,440 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D3G (piston); 187 hours total
- Operator: Prior Aviation Service INC
The flight
- Departed from: BUF Buffalo NY at 6:00 pm
- Destination: BUF Buffalo NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 8,829 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 16 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 6:54 pm from KBUF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on May 31, 2016. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Flight Instructor | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Test Run Results | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Carburetor Test Results | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Engine Maintenance Logs | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Photo (Courtesy of FAA) | 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.
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.