Piper PA28 accident near Wadsworth, Ohio, September 3, 2022
On September 3, 2022 at about 6:09 pm local time, a 1969 Piper PA28, registered N5666U, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Wadsworth, Ohio (Wadsworth Municipal Airport). It was a personal 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 for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 3, 2022 · about 6:09 pm local time
- Place
- Wadsworth, Ohio · Wadsworth Municipal 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 1969 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N5666U · no longer on the register · serial 28-26463
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the initial climb after a touch-and-go landing, about 50 ft above the 3,530-ft-long runway, the engine lost total power. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground about 2/3 down the length of the runway and was substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that adequate fuel remained onboard and that there was no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the engine that would have precluded normal operation. While a carburetor icing chart showed that the weather conditions were conducive to the formation of carburetor ice at glide engine power settings, because the airplane was operating at full engine power when the reported loss of engine power occurred, it was not likely that carburetor icing contributed to the loss of engine power. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on 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 uncontrolled descent
- Unknown or undetermined during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 187 hours in all; 52 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 22 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 26, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,508 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 21, 2021; 98 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 2,508 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 1G5 Medina OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 20, 3,530 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from BJJ, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KBJJ 031856Z AUTO 19008KT 10SM CLR 26/22 A3018 RMK AO2 SLP212 T02610217=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on January 30, 2024. 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 | Memoranda for the Record | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Record of Conversation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Ohio State Police Report | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 5 | FAA Inspector Statement (Wolfe) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | FAA Carburetor Icing Chart | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Security Video (31 Seconds, MP4, 16MB - Courtesy Flight Services of Wadsworth) | video | 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.