Piper PA-44-180 accident near Phoenix, Arizona, November 20, 2003
On November 20, 2003 at about 6:03 pm local time, a Piper PA-44-180, registered N971PA, 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
the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight and delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of directional control. The reason for the partial power loss in the left engine was not determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 20, 2003 · about 6:03 pm local time
- Place
- Phoenix, Arizona · Deer Valley Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-44-180 · all PA-44-180s on the register
- Registration
- N971PA · registry record · serial 4496031
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane veered off of the runway after the left engine lost power during the takeoff roll. The purpose of the flight was an intermediate stage-check for the student, prior to his multi-engine checkride. The preflight and run-up were uneventful. Approximately 5 seconds after the takeoff roll commenced, the left engine lost power and the airplane veered to the left. The CFI assumed control of the airplane, closing both throttles. The airplane continued turning to the left and the airplane departed the runway surface. The right main gear collapsed and the right engine impacted the ground and stopped. The left engine was idling after the airplane came to a stop. The left engine was test-run following the accident; no mechanical malfunctions were 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
Flight instructor
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,490 hours in all; 160 in this make and model; 105 in the last 90 days; 51 in the last 30 days; 2,390 as pilot in command; 1,995 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 25, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 324 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 127 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 223 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 22, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,506.8 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 31, 2003; 34.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming L0-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KDVT Phoenix AZ at 6:03 pm
- Destination: KDVT Phoenix AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 7R, 8,208 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
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.