Piper PA-28-140 accident near Meeks Bay, California, July 1, 2023
On July 1, 2023 at about 5:30 pm local time, a 1965 Piper PA-28-140, registered N4586R, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Meeks Bay, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 1, 2023 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Meeks Bay, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140, built 1965 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N4586R · registry record · serial 28-21330
- 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 cross-country flight with one passenger on board the single-engine airplane. The pilot reported that, while approaching the Lake Tahoe area, he decided to perform a flight around the lake before continuing to his destination. While adding power to level off, he heard and felt a pop in the throttle handle and the rpm decreased. Subsequently, the throttle was not controlling the engine power and the rpm decreased to near idle. The pilot added full rich mixture and switched fuel tanks. Despite his actions the engine would not increase in power. The pilot made a radio call and pitched for best glide over the lake. The airplane nosed over after contacting the water; the pilot and passenger egressed and were soon rescued by nearby boaters. The search efforts did not locate the airplane and the wreckage was not recovered; therefore, the airframe and engine could not be examined, and 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
- Ditching during emergency descent
- Nose over/nose down during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine controls › Power lever › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 300 hours in all; 7 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 167 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 28, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,976 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 17, 2023
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2A (piston); 2,975 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MOD Modesto CA at 4:00 pm
- Destination: CXP Carson City NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 am from KTVL, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KTVL 011653Z AUTO 02006KT 10SM CLR 22/09 A3031 RMK AO2 SLP203 T02170089=
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 NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.