Piper PA32 accident near Cincinnati, Ohio, September 2, 2023
On September 2, 2023, a 1969 Piper PA32, registered N6868D, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Cincinnati, Ohio. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A 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 2, 2023
- Place
- Cincinnati, Ohio · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA32 300, built 1969 · all PA32s on the register
- Registration
- N6868D · registry record · serial 32-40608
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and three passengers departed on a local flight. After reaching a cruise altitude of 4,500 ft mean sea level, the engine started to lose power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and tried to restart the engine several times but was unsuccessful in those attempts. She tried to return to the departure airport but realized she would not be able to reach the runway and maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing into trees. The airplane subsequently collided with the trees and came to rest on its tail section, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the engine confirmed continuity of the drivetrain and powertrain, with compression observed in each cylinder. The ignition system appeared intact and there was no evidence observed of any fuel or oil leakage. The examination did not reveal evidence of any anomalies 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
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 477 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 332 as pilot in command; 164 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 14, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,109 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 23, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 890 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LUK Cincinnati OH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 030° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.16 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from LUK, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KLUK 020053Z 03003KT 10SM CLR 23/17 A3016 RMK AO2 SLP210 T02280167
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on September 5, 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Written Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record A�� Interview, Director of Ops | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Email from Operator Regarding Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Excerpt from POH, from PA32-300 Standardization Manual) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Wreckage Examination Summary | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N6868D the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.