Piper Aircraft INC PA-28-161 accident near Grant-Valkaria, Florida, August 30, 2021
On August 30, 2021 at about 12:19 pm local time, a 1985 Piper Aircraft INC PA-28-161, registered N864LM, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Grant-Valkaria, Florida. 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 undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 30, 2021 · about 12:19 pm local time
- Place
- Grant-Valkaria, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper Aircraft INC PA-28-161, built 1985
- Registration
- N864LM · no longer on the register · serial 28-8516063
- 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 the preflight, departure, and climb phases of the flight were normal and uneventful. She leveled off at 7,500 feet mean sea level and began to lean the mixture. While leaning, the engine rpm dropped below 1,000. She responded by increasing the mixture to full rich and applying full throttle; however, the engine did not respond. The airplane began to lose altitude rapidly and she tried to restart the engine to no avail. She declared an emergency and was unable to glide to a nearby airport, so she force-landed the airplane in a farm field. The airplane collided with a fence and a ditch before coming to a stop, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation, and 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 enroute defining event
- Emergency descent initiated during enroute (cruise)
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 112 hours in all; 112 in this make and model; 77 in the last 90 days; 54 in the last 30 days; 64 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 9, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 267 hours in all; 199 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 168 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 9, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13,124 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 18, 2021; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,440 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D3G (piston); 5 hours total
- Operator: Airborne Systems Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: COI Merritt Island FL at 11:51 am
- Destination: MKY Marco Island FL
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 am from MLB, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): ETAR KMLB 301253Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 28/24 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP173 T02830239
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on July 26, 2023. 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 | Pilot's Written Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Passenger's Written Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | NTSB Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Investigative Photographs (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 21 pages | View Download |
| 6 | NTSB Examination Summary | PDF, 3 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.