Piper PA28R accident near Panama City, Florida, July 29, 2016
On July 29, 2016, a 1969 Piper PA28R, registered N94JR, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Panama City, Florida (Northwest Florida Beaches Intl airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during approach for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any evidence of preimpact 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
- July 29, 2016
- Place
- Panama City, Florida · Northwest Florida Beaches Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28R 200, built 1969 · all PA28Rs on the register
- Registration
- N94JR · no longer on the register · serial 28R-35380
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During an instructional flight, the pilot receiving instruction reduced engine power in preparation for an approach to the destination airport. He subsequently attempted to add power and level off; however, the engine was unresponsive and then lost total power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and performed the engine failure checklist but was unsuccessful in restarting the engine. He was unable to glide the airplane to the destination airport and performed a forced landing in a wooded area about 3 miles from the runway, which resulted in damage to the wings. Examination of the wreckage at the accident site and again at a recovery facility revealed that the right fuel tank was breached and devoid of fuel. The left fuel tank remained attached and was nearly full of fuel. The fuel was clear and absent of water or visible contamination. Examination and testing of the fuel-injected engine, ignition system, and fuel system, including hand rotation of the propeller, did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, 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 approach defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- 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
Flight instructor
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 999,999 hours in all; 999,999 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 999,999 hours in all; 999,999 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,306 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 11, 2016; 21 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C (piston); 4,029 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: EDN Enterprise AL at 11:30 pm
- Destination: ECP Panama City FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 10,000 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from KECP, 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
4 documents, released by the NTSB on March 11, 2019. 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 | Memorandum for Record - Telephone Conversation with FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - Engine Examination | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Records - Excerpts | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | 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.