Piper PA-28-161 accident near Palo Alto, California, April 23, 2007
On April 23, 2007 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-161, registered N8171V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Palo Alto, California (Palo Alto Airport Of Santa Cla). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 23, 2007 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Palo Alto, California · Palo Alto Airport Of Santa Cla
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-161 · all PA-28-161s on the register
- Registration
- N8171V · no longer on the register · serial 28-8016282
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The engine experienced a loss of power during the takeoff initial climb and the airplane collided with terrain. The pilot stated that as the airplane reached about 300 feet above ground level (agl), the engine experienced a loss of power. In response, the pilot manipulated the throttle forward and aft, which resulted in a temporary surge. The engine subsequently failed to produce any power. The pilot switched the fuel tank selector, but the engine did not restart. The airplane continued to descend, and as landing gear touched down in the soft mud, the airplane suddenly stopped and collided with terrain. An aviation mechanic examined the airplane under the auspice of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. The inspector stated that the examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
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: student
- Flight time: 77 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 37 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 2,325 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D3G (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Shoreline Flying Club
The flight
- Departed from: PAO Palo Alto CA at 4:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 31, 2,443 ft by 70 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 5:40 pm from PAO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.