Piper PA-28-161 accident near Phoenix, Arizona, September 15, 2000
On September 15, 2000 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-161, registered N381AS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona (Deer Valley airport). It was an instructional 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
Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain available for a straight ahead landing during the takeoff initial climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 15, 2000 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Phoenix, Arizona · Deer Valley · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-161 · all PA-28-161s on the register
- Registration
- N381AS · registry record · serial 28-8516036
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane struck the airport perimeter fence and came to rest inverted after initiating a turn back to the runway for an emergency landing due to a loss of engine power. No discrepancies were found during the preflight inspection or the startup, run-up, or pretakeoff procedures. During the initial climb out the engine began to sputter. The CFI took control of the airplane and verified that the fuel pump was on, throttle was full forward, and the mixture was rich. The engine sputtered again and he noted that the fuel pressure gage was indicating zero. During the turn back to the runway the airplane lost altitude. A post crash engine inspection and run-up were conducted. No discrepancies were noted with the visual inspection of the engine. A remote fuel source was attached to the fuel line on the left wing to facilitate an engine run-up. The electric fuel pump was engaged and fuel pressure was observed on the fuel pressure gage. No visible fuel leaks were observed on the engine. The engine was started per manufacturer's checklist and a warm up period was initiated. After the warm up period the throttle was advanced to full power with no discrepancies noted.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 515 hours in all; 191 in this make and model; 140 in the last 90 days; 62 in the last 30 days; 432 as pilot in command; 185 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,225 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 14, 2000; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,325 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D3F (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Dgv Holdings
The flight
- Departed from: DVT at 6:00 pm
- Destination: DVT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 7L, 4,500 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 210°F (99°C), dew point 145°F (63°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:00 pm from DVT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.