Piper PA-28R-200 accident near Meridianville, Alabama, September 8, 2022
On September 8, 2022 at about 6:20 pm local time, a 1975 Piper PA-28R-200, registered N29RM, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Meridianville, Alabama (Huntsville Executive airport). It was an instructional 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 loss of engine power that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 8, 2022 · about 6:20 pm local time
- Place
- Meridianville, Alabama · Huntsville Executive · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-200, built 1975 · all PA-28R-200s on the register
- Registration
- N29RM · registry record · serial 28R-7535269
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot under instruction entered the destination airport traffic pattern to practice takeoffs and landings. Shortly after turning onto final approach, the engine began to run rough, as if a cylinder was “missing.” The flight instructor took over control of the airplane, verifying that the fuel boost pump was on and the throttle was advanced. The engine then stopped completely; however, the propeller continued to windmill. Unable to make the runway, the flight instructor landed the airplane in a bean field short of the runway. An examination of the fuel-injected engine and fuel system did not reveal evidence of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure. There was ample fuel on board for the flight, and the fuel system was not contaminated or obstructed. The reason for the loss of engine power was not 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 (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 205 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 172 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 10, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,226 hours in all; 68 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 1,468 as pilot in command; 950 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 5, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,200 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 23, 2022; 87 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C (piston); 1,870 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HUA Redstone Arsenal AL at 5:50 pm
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 36, 6,500 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 1:15 am from KMDQ, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMDQ 080615Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 18/17 A2995 RMK A02 T01790168
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 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 | Written Statement - Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Written Statement - Flight Instructor | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Memorandum for Record - Examination Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 4 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.