Piper PA22 accident near Blanch, North Carolina, March 24, 2019
On March 24, 2019 at about 11:35 pm local time, a 1955 Piper PA22, registered N1933P, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Blanch, North Carolina (Private Airstrip airport). It was a personal 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 total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 24, 2019 · about 11:35 pm local time
- Place
- Blanch, North Carolina · Private Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA22 150, built 1955 · all PA22s on the register
- Registration
- N1933P · no longer on the register · serial 22-2684
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot completed a 25-minute flight before a passenger boarded the airplane for the accident flight. After a normal takeoff, the engine lost all power during the initial climb. The pilot switched the fuel selector to the other tank. Unable to restore engine power, the pilot attempted to land in an open field to the left of the departure runway; the airplane landed hard, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure, and the exact quantity of fuel onboard at the time of the accident could not be determined due to impact damage. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 515 hours in all; 402 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 515 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 5, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2A (piston); 1,865 hours total
- Operator: Caswell Insurance Services Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Blanch NC at 11:35 pm
- Destination: PVT Blanch NC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 11:40 pm from TDF, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on September 26, 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Aw Inspector Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Ops Inspector Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | NTSB Memo for Record (FAA Inspector) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Carburetor Ice Chart | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 8 | FAA Ad 67-24-02 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Airplane Owners Manual | 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.