Piper PA-22-150 accident near Cashmere, Washington, May 31, 2021
On May 31, 2021, a Piper PA-22-150, registered N7159B, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Cashmere, Washington (Cashmere-Dryden airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power shortly after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 31, 2021
- Place
- Cashmere, Washington · Cashmere-Dryden · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-22-150 · all PA-22-150s on the register
- Registration
- N7159B · registry record · serial 22-4384
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot purchased the airplane about 1 month before the accident. It had not undergone recent maintenance before the purchase, and the pilot hired a mechanic to perform an annual inspection. The pilot stated that the right-wing fuel tank contained about 12 gallons of fuel and the left fuel tank was empty. He positioned the fuel selector to the right tank. During the initial climb, when the airplane reached about 250 to 300 ft above ground level, the engine power smoothly reduced to idle. The pilot lowered the airplane’s nose, and engine power temporarily increased for several seconds before the engine then lost total power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing in a marshy area, where it came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination revealed that the fuel system was intact, and the tanks were not breached. Removal of the fuel line at the carburetor revealed no fuel in the system. A visual inspection of both wing tanks revealed that they both appeared empty. When manipulating the right wing, about one-half cup of fuel drained from the sump. Removal of the right fuel cap revealed that the rubber seal was intact and the two vent holes were clear. The fuel cap filler area had a cork gasket that was not secured, and it could not be determined whether the cap was able to properly seal. Although postaccident examination revealed only trace amounts of fuel in the fuel system, the amount of fuel onboard at the time of the accident could not be determined. The examination was limited in scope because the engine was unavailable for a complete examination. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.
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
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 16,000 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 204 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 15,600 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 17, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-360-AIA (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: KEAT Wematchee WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 07/2, 1,800 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 7:55 am from KEAT, 13 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KEAT 301455Z AUTO 27009KT 10SM CLR 13/02 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP206 T01330022 52008
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR21LA213.