Piper PA28 accident near Laurel, Mississippi, October 1, 2016
On October 1, 2016 at about 3:20 pm local time, a 1974 Piper PA28, registered N499TG, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Laurel, Mississippi (Hesler-Noble Field). It was a personal 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
A total loss of engine power due to a stuck carburetor float. The reason the carburetor float became stuck could not be determined because postaccident examination of the float and needle/seat revealed no anomalies.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 1, 2016 · about 3:20 pm local time
- Place
- Laurel, Mississippi · Hesler-Noble Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 140, built 1974 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N499TG · registry record · serial 28-7425318
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot departed with full fuel tanks and flew to a nearby airport to practice takeoffs and landings. In preparation for his first landing, he checked that the mixture was full-rich and that the electric fuel pump and carburetor heat were turned on. The student pilot reduced power and extended the flaps; however, he realized that the airplane was too high and chose to go around. The student pilot applied full power, retracted the flaps, and turned off the carburetor heat. At that point, the engine started running roughly and experienced a total loss of power. The student pilot turned the carburetor heat back on, rechecked that the electric fuel pump was still on, and switched fuel tanks, but engine power was not restored. The student pilot made a forced landing to a field adjacent to the airport. Examination of the airplane revealed the carburetor had flooded and was leaking due to a stuck float, which prevented engine operation. The carburetor was removed and disassembled. No anomalies were noted with the float or needle/seat, and the carburetor was reassembled and reinstalled on the engine. The engine was subsequently started, and it ran with no anomalies noted. The reason for the stuck carburetor float 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 (VFR go-around) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Malfunction
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 90 hours in all; 60 in this make and model
- Last flight review: September 29, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,366 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 6, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D (piston); 1,519 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PIB Hattiesburg MS at 3:00 pm
- Destination: LUL Laurel MS
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 5,513 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 3:35 pm from LUL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on December 21, 2017. 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 | Summary of Conversation | 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.