Piper PA-46-350P accident near North Las Vegas, Nevada, September 1, 2003
On September 1, 2003 at about 3:00 am local time, a Piper PA-46-350P, registered N103TK, was substantially damaged in an accident near North Las Vegas, Nevada (North Las Vegas Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during approach for the airplane's flight configuration, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 1, 2003 · about 3:00 am local time
- Place
- North Las Vegas, Nevada · North Las Vegas Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-46-350P · all PA-46-350Ps on the register
- Registration
- N103TK · no longer on the register · serial 4636329
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The single-engine airplane impacted terrain short of the approach end of the runway during a night visual approach. According to the pilot on final approach, while conducting the final check list, he noted that the airplane was about 300-400 feet above the ground, and on the glide slope "with PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator) lights." The airspeed was 85 knots with the landing gear extended. He also said he believes he had put in 10-degrees of flaps. The pilot stated that the airplane started to "pancake down," and he did not know why the airspeed had bled off. When he realized what was happening he applied full power and the engine surged, but the airplane was too close to the ground and the airplane landed in the desert. A witness located near the approach end of the runway observed the airplane's wings rocking back and forth on final approach, and then it dropped out of the sky. He stated that the engine was not making unusual sounds during the approach. According to the airplane manufacturer's approved flight manual, landings can be made with any flap settings. The manual also indicated that for landing, a normal approach speed between 80 - 85 knots should be flown with full flaps extended, and power as required to maintain approach angle. For a flaps up condition, the approach speed should be 95 knots. Post accident examination found the flaps in the retracted position with the cockpit selector handle in the up position.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,100 hours in all; 550 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 2,100 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 22, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 220 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2003; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,340 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-AEZA (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VGT North Las Vegas NV
- Destination: VGT North Las Vegas NV
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 12R, 5,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 3:56 am from VGT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.