Piper PA-30 accident near Nephi, Utah, June 8, 2023
On June 8, 2023 at about 6:19 pm local time, a 1964 Piper PA-30, registered N7318Y, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Nephi, Utah (Nephi Muni 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).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination as a result of the inadequate removal of fuel system corrosion during previous maintenance.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 2023 · about 6:19 pm local time
- Place
- Nephi, Utah · Nephi Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-30, built 1964 · all PA-30s on the register
- Registration
- N7318Y · registry record · serial 30-361
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting a repositioning flight when, while enroute, the left engine briefly lost power. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot, but the engine continued to cycle between 1,000 and 2,400 rpm. The pilot diverted to a nearby airport for a precautionary landing. During the landing flare, about 5 ft above the ground (agl), the left engine lost total power. The pilot applied right rudder to counteract the lowered left wing; however, the airplane touched down hard and exited the left side of the runway. The right wing impacted a dirt mound and sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the fuel system, left and right fuel strainer bowls, and filter discs revealed that the filter bowl and filter disc contained contaminants consistent with rust/corrosion. Both the left and right fuel strainer post had pitting corrosion. Rust/corrosion was also found in the cavity walls and cover plates of both strainer knob assemblies, as well as in the left and right fuel selector valves, primarily the left and right auxiliary inlet lines. Review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed that, about four months before the accident flight, the right engine lost power in flight; after that event, the fuel screen was found restricted and corroded. The pilot stated that multiple injectors from both engines were also found obstructed. The right outboard auxiliary tank was replaced, along with the fuel screens. Both left and right fuel lines were flushed by a mechanic. The pilot added about 7 months prior to the accident flight, the right engine fuel injectors were found obstructed during an inspection. The rust/contamination found months before the accident was likely not adequately addressed and not completely removed from within the fuel system, which led to a build-up of contamination within the fuel delivery system that restricted the fuel supply to the left engine and resulted in the loss of 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
- Runway excursion during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Fuel contamination during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel distribution › Not serviced/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel filter › strainer › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel transfer valve › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Repair › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: helicopter
- Flight time: 18,000 hours in all; 28 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 23 in the last 30 days; 12,000 as pilot in command; 1,200 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 23, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,900 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2022; 25 hours since
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CDC Cedar City UT at 5:00 pm
- Destination: BTF Bountiful UT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 6,300 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 12:28 pm from KPVU, 30 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KPVU 081828Z 09004KT 10SM CLR 22/03 A3001 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE-SE TSB27E28
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on June 24, 2025. 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 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Follow-up Examination Summary | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Mor Precision Airmotive Llc | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | 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.