Piper PA46 accident near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, October 4, 2019
On October 4, 2019 at about 9:13 pm local time, a 1984 Piper PA46, registered N4385K, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (IFR final approach) near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (Harrisburg Intl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people 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 reasons that could not be determined following a successful engine run.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 4, 2019 · about 9:13 pm local time
- Place
- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania · Harrisburg Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA46 310P, built 1984 · all PA46s on the register
- Registration
- N4385K · no longer on the register · serial 46-8508027
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was performing a visual approach for landing when the engine lost total power. Unable to restore engine power, the pilot performed a forced landing to a river. After recovery, the external engine components were dried, cleaned, and reinstalled (magnetos, fuel manifold), and the starter was replaced due to water immersion. The engine was then placed in a test cell where it started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption. Radar and on-board data revealed that the airplane experienced lateral g-forces in the turn to final and during its approach in a gusting crosswind, consistent with a slip. Although the airplane’s operating handbook cautioned against prolonged slips or skids or other “radical or extreme maneuvers which could cause uncovering of the fuel outlet,” whether the slip during the accident flight was sufficient to uncover the fuel port and result in 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 (IFR final approach) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,502 hours in all; 433 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,105 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2019; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,101 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO 550C (piston); 2,382 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ROC Rochester NY at 8:00 pm
- Destination: MDT Harrisburg PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 31, 10,001 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 9 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 pm from KMDT, 2 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
10 documents, released by the NTSB on June 16, 2022. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | AS-40 Data Review | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Tabular Data | data file | Download |
| 4 | Air Traffic Control radar Tabular Data | data file | Download |
| 5 | Powerplants Report (NTSB) | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Powerplants (Cmg) | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Pilot Operating Handbook Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Evidence Control Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | 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.