Piper PA32-300 accident near Pomona, California, November 17, 2024
On November 17, 2024 at about 7:11 pm local time, a 1967 Piper PA32-300, registered N617ET, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Pomona, California (Brackett Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power during final approach for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 17, 2024 · about 7:11 pm local time
- Place
- Pomona, California · Brackett Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA32-300, built 1967 · all PA32-300s on the register
- Registration
- N617ET · registry record · serial 32-40205
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and three passengers were on final approach to land after a 31-minute flight when the engine exhibited a total loss of power. The pilot attempted to restore engine power by switching fuel tanks and checking the electric fuel boost pump, but the engine did not restart. The pilot retracted the wing flaps in an unsuccessful attempt to extend the airplane’s glide to a road; however, the airplane descended into a raceway parking lot and struck multiple unoccupied vehicles. Postaccident examinations of the airframe and fuel-injected engine revealed no evidence of a preaccident mechanical malfunction or failure. Although the airplane was equipped with an engine data monitor, the most recent flight-related data was dated March 18, 2024; the unit did not record data from the accident flight. Therefore, the reason for the total loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,765.2 hours in all; 155.4 in this make and model; 55.4 in the last 90 days; 17.5 in the last 30 days; 1,700.5 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,204 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2024; 100 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 (piston); 6,204 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KAPV Apple Valley CA at 6:40 pm
- Destination: KPOC Laverne CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 26R, 3,661 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 10:47 am from KPOC, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KPOC 171847Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 17/M04 A2999=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on September 23, 2026. 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 | Memorandums for Record | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Records Excerpt | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Airframe and Engine Exam Summary | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Component Examination | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Engine Data Monitor | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Piper Party Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Lycoming Party Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Wreckage Release | 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.