Piper PA28 accident near Lancaster, Tennessee, May 21, 2023
On May 21, 2023 at about 7:35 pm local time, a 1966 Piper PA28, registered N9139J, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Lancaster, Tennessee. 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
The fatigue failure of an exhaust valve, resulting in a partial 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 21, 2023 · about 7:35 pm local time
- Place
- Lancaster, Tennessee · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 180, built 1966 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N9139J · no longer on the register · serial 28-3193
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
About 20 to 25 minutes into the flight the engine lost power and began to run rough. The pilot described the power loss as if the engine was firing on two cylinders. He reported that the airframe began shaking and the airplane began losing altitude. Attempts to restore power were unsuccessful. Unable to make it to the nearest airport, the pilot chose a field in which to land. He notified air traffic control of the loss of engine power and performed a forced landing in a field. At touchdown, the nose landing gear collapsed and the engine mount was substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed the No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve stem fractured due to fatigue that initiated on the outer surface. The resulting separation of the valve head resulted in the reported partial loss of engine power and rough running engine. Review of the engine maintenance records revealed it had been 39 years since the No. 2 exhaust valve was replaced, and 34 years since the valve guides were replaced. Although engine manufacturer service instructions are not mandatory for Part 91 operators, the engine manufacturer recommended engine overhaul within 12 years of either being put in service or last overhaul. The most recent engine overhaul had been 45 years earlier.
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
- Landing gear collapse during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of engine power (partial) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 200 hours in all; 175 in this make and model; 200 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 4, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,223 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 4, 2023; 7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A3A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JWN Nashville TN at 6:56 pm
- Destination: TN20 Seymour TN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 2:35 pm from KSRB, 18 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSRB 211935Z AUTO 04007KT 10SM CLR 24/13 A3008 RMK AO2
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 March 19, 2025. 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, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - Engine Maintenance Records Review | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1009BE | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 5 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report | PDF, 29 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15, and NTSB Evidence Control Forms | 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.