Piper PA 28-140 accident near Honolulu, Hawaii, June 30, 2017
On June 30, 2017 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 1971 Piper PA 28-140, registered N4244T, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Honolulu, Hawaii (Honolulu airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined due to impact and fire damage.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 30, 2017 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Honolulu, Hawaii · Honolulu · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA 28-140, built 1971 · all PA 28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N4244T · no longer on the register · serial 28-7225103
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot reported that he conducted a preflight inspection to prepare for the local personal flight and that a minimum of 20 gallons of fuel was on board. He started the engine and taxied the airplane to an open area for a run-up. Shortly after takeoff, about 300 ft above ground level, the engine lost power. He initiated an emergency landing to a riverbed. The airplane subsequently came to rest under a highway overpass and caught fire. Postaccident visual and engine examinations revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction. Further, impact and fire damage precluded a determination of the cause of the loss of engine power.
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 initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 68 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: April 29, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 775 hours in all; 657 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 12, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E30 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: PHNL Honolulu HI at 11:20 pm
- Destination: PHNL Honolulu HI
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 079° at 17 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,700 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from PHNL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Passenger Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statements | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector's Statement Email | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Aircraft Engine Inspection | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Aircraft Muffler Inspection | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Excerpt Sheriff's Report | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Fuel Selector Email | PDF, 2 pages | 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.