Piper PA 28-235 accident near Taylor, Arizona, November 12, 2016
On November 12, 2016 at about 11:40 pm local time, a 1968 Piper PA 28-235, registered N9398W, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Taylor, Arizona. 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
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no 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
- November 12, 2016 · about 11:40 pm local time
- Place
- Taylor, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 28-235 235, built 1968 · all PA 28-235s on the register
- Registration
- N9398W · no longer on the register · serial 28-11095
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor reported that, after demonstrating emergency descent procedures to the student pilot during an instructional flight, he applied engine power to recover from the simulation, but the engine had experienced a total loss of power. After performing troubleshooting steps, which did not restore full power, the instructor performed a forced landing. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a berm and sustained substantial damage. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed about 14 months before the accident; however, postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation, and the engine performed with no anomalies during a subsequent test run. 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 (total) during maneuvering defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 11,945 hours in all; 500 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 11.8 in the last 30 days; 11,945 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 11, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 3.2 hours in all; 3.2 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 17, 2015; 7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 SERIES (piston); 1,136 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TYL Taylor AZ at 11:00 pm
- Destination: TYL Taylor AZ
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 pm from KSOW, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on July 5, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Airframe and Engine Examination Report | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Monitor Data | data file | Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Logbook | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Carburetor Icing Probability Chart from FAA Saib CE-09-35 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo 1 - Airplane at Accident Site | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.