Piper PA28 accident near Columbus, Georgia, November 23, 2016
On November 23, 2016 at about 11:03 pm local time, a 1974 Piper PA28, registered N41565, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Columbus, Georgia (Columbus Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were 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 during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of 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
- November 23, 2016 · about 11:03 pm local time
- Place
- Columbus, Georgia · Columbus Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 140, built 1974 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N41565 · no longer on the register · serial 28-7425260
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor reported that ground operations were normal and that he observed 18 gallons of fuel in each wing tank. The engine started normally, and the magneto checks were within limits. During the initial climb after takeoff, about 1 mile past the departure end of the runway, the engine vibrated and experienced a total loss of power. He assumed the controls from the pilot receiving instruction, and confirmed the fuel selector position, checked to ensure the fuel pump was on, and turned on the carburetor heat. The engine did not regain power, and the airplane continued straight ahead until it settled into trees. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of any preaccident malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The fuel tanks were breached during the accident sequence. The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing at glide power. However, given that the engine did not respond after the application of carburetor heat and it was operating at takeoff power, it is unlikely that the loss of engine power was due to carburetor icing. 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 emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,139 hours in all; 1,200 in this make and model; 173 in the last 90 days; 54 in the last 30 days; 3,099 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 8, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 82 hours in all; 72 in this make and model; 12 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,118 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 10, 2016; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D (piston); 6,118 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CSG Columbus GA at 10:59 pm
- Destination: CSG Columbus GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 6,997 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 10:51 pm from CSG, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 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 | Pilot Written Statements | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35 (Carburetor Icing Prevention) | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Memorandum for Record - NTSB Engine Examination | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array | PDF, 10 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.