Piper PA28 151 accident near Bullhead City, Arizona, October 18, 2014
On October 18, 2014 at about 7:30 pm local time, a 1973 Piper PA28 151, registered N56873, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Bullhead City, Arizona (Sun Valley airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 18, 2014 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Bullhead City, Arizona · Sun Valley · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 151, built 1973 · all PA28 151s on the register
- Registration
- N56873 · no longer on the register · serial 28-7415021
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was departing for a personal cross-country flight. The pilot reported that, after takeoff and during the initial climb, the engine was not producing adequate power to maintain altitude or climb. The stall warning horn sounded when the airplane was about 500 ft above ground level. The pilot pushed the airplane's nose down and then maneuvered the airplane to fly under power lines that were in its immediate flightpath. Unable to maintain altitude, the airplane subsequently impacted uneven desert terrain and caught fire. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. 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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 600 hours in all; 600 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,407 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 10, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 2,326 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: A20 Bullhead City AZ at 7:29 pm
- Destination: HND Henderson NV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 3,700 ft by 42 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 7:35 pm from KIFP
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.