Piper PA-28-180 accident near Nephi, Utah, May 31, 2024
On May 31, 2024 at about 5:00 pm local time, a 1964 Piper PA-28-180, registered N7838W, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Nephi, Utah (Nephi Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s incorrect movement of the fuel selector valve to an off or restricted position, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 31, 2024 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Nephi, Utah · Nephi Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180, built 1964 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N7838W · no longer on the register · serial 28-1855
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during cruise flight, about 900 to 1,000 ft above ground level, he switched fuel tanks, and shortly after, the engine began to sputter and lose power. He attempted to troubleshoot by advancing the mixture and throttle levers, however, was unable to restore engine power and initiated a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll, the nose wheel dug into soft terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mount and right wing. The pilot stated that he may have placed the fuel selector valve to an intermediate position and not within the fuel selector detents, which likely starved the engine for fuel. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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 (partial) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel selector/shutoff valve › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine sea; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,306 hours in all; 29 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 439 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 14, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,967 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 20, 2024; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming )-360-A3A (piston); 4,177 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVU Provo UT at 4:30 pm
- Destination: PVU Provo UT
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on December 19, 2024. 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's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 3 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.