Piper PA24 accident near South Boston, Virginia, May 26, 2020
On May 26, 2020 at about 6:30 pm local time, a 1959 Piper PA24, registered N5948P, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near South Boston, Virginia (William M Tuck Airport). 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
The powerplant mechanic’s failure to properly affix the engine crankshaft gear lockplate during overhaul, resulting in a total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 26, 2020 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- South Boston, Virginia · William M Tuck Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA24 250, built 1959 · all PA24s on the register
- Registration
- N5948P · registry record · serial 24-1039
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a personal flight the private pilot proceeded to the destination airport and entered the airport traffic pattern for a planned full-stop landing. While on a close-in downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern the engine experienced a sudden and total loss of engine power. The pilot turned toward the approach end of the runway and attempted to restore engine power but was unsuccessful. The airplane impacted an obstruction light and touched down in tall grass on airport property before coming to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed the crankshaft gear attachment bolt was loose, the lockplate was fractured, and the alignment dowel was sheared. The intact portion of the fractured lockplate was similar to an un-bent exemplar lockplate; therefore, it is likely the mechanic who overhauled the engine about 253 hours and 8 years earlier did not bend the lockplate against the flat of the crankshaft gear attachment bolt head. The crankshaft gear drives two idler gears in the accessory gearbox, which drive the camshaft, engine driven fuel pump, vacuum pump and the magneto drive couplings. The failure of the crankshaft gear to rotate would result in a loss of engine power.
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 pattern downwind) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during maneuvering
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng rear section › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › (general) › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,903 hours in all; 1,620 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 1,903 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 29, 2019
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,628 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 5, 2019; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-A1A (piston); 3,258 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: W63 Clarksville VA at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 4,003 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,800 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 6:35 pm from W78
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on June 8, 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of NTSB Conversation | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Record Entry for Engine Overhaul | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | 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.