Piper PA-28R-200 accident near Gillette, Wyoming, November 24, 2024
On November 24, 2024 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 1973 Piper PA-28R-200, registered N55641, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Gillette, Wyoming (Northeast Wyoming Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting from a loose B-nut at the engine-driven fuel-pump inlet.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 24, 2024 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Gillette, Wyoming · Northeast Wyoming Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28R-200, built 1973 · all PA-28R-200s on the register
- Registration
- N55641 · registry record · serial 28R-7335263
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff, the pilot smelled fuel and the engine began to lose power. The pilot initiated a turn back toward the airport, but the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. The airplane touched down in a field and collided with a fence. The airplane had undergone maintenance a few days before the accident, which included repositioning the fuel line to the engine-driven fuel pump. A postaccident examination revealed that the B-nut securing the fuel line at the pump inlet was loose and could be rotated approximately one-half turn by hand before the fitting came off. Visible fuel staining and spray residue were present in the area of the pump inlet. The manufacturer’s specified torque specification for the aluminum-alloy fitting was 75 to 125 inch-pounds. The loss of engine power was consistent with fuel starvation due to the loose fitting, allowing air ingestion and interrupting normal fuel delivery.
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 takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Misc hardware › Hoses and tubes › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,512 hours in all; 1,263 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 1,443 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 18, 2024
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,867 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 22, 2024; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Gizzy LLC
The flight
- Destination: RAP Rapid City SD
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 1,300 ft
- Temperature: 19°F (-7°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KGCC, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KGCC 242253Z AUTO 34004KT 10SM FEW013 SCT065 M07/M10 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP211 T10721100
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on September 18, 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, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation with Examination Pictures | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Record Excerpts | 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.