Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

October 4, 2019 · Piper PA46 310P · N4385K

Harrisburg, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 4, 2019
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Harrisburg, PA
Aircraft
Piper PA46 310P (1984)
Tail Number
N4385K
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA20LA011

The pilot reported that he was performing a visual approach for landing when the engine lost total power. Unable to restore engine power, the pilot performed a forced landing to a river. After recovery, the external engine components were dried, cleaned, and reinstalled (magnetos, fuel manifold), and the starter was replaced due to water immersion. The engine was then placed in a test cell where it started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously without interruption. Radar and on-board data revealed that the airplane experienced lateral g-forces in the turn to final and during its approach in a gusting crosswind, consistent with a slip. Although the airplane’s operating handbook cautioned against prolonged slips or skids or other “radical or extreme maneuvers which could cause uncovering of the fuel outlet,” whether the slip during the accident flight was sufficient to uncover the fuel port and result in the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined following a successful engine run.

Full Narrative

On October 4, 2019, at 1713 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA46-310P, N4385K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The private pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. In a written statement, the pilot stated that he conducted a thorough preflight inspection and had the airplane serviced with 30 gallons of 100LL aviation gasoline. He estimated that the 122-gallon fuel system contained 77 gallons of fuel at the time of departure. The pilot described the flight as "unremarkable." Upon arriving at the destination airport, he was cleared for a visual approach and stated that he referenced the localizer and glideslope indications for the instrument landing system (ILS) approach during the descent. The pilot stated that he had lowered the landing gear and extended the flaps when the engine “cut out.” He switched fuel tanks and attempted to restart the engine, but was unsuccessful, and he subsequently retracted the landing gear and performed a forced landing to the Susquehanna River. The airplane was submerged in the Susquehanna River until October 16, 2019, before it was recovered. Examination of the wreckage following recovery revealed that the airplane was intact, but the fuselage was deformed aft of the cabin door. Both wings were cut at their roots by recovery personnel. Before removal of the wings, each wing was drained of fuel and water. The left wing contained 12.5 gallons of fuel and 10 gallons of water. The right wing contained 17 gallons of fuel and 15 gallons of water. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the flight controls to all flight control surfaces. Fuel system continuity was confirmed from the roots of each wing to the fuel metering unit. Electrical power was applied to the fuel boost pumps in each wing, and both operated when energized. The engine spark plugs were removed from the top of each cylinder. Each spark plug displayed normal wear and evidence of exposure to water. The engine was rotated by hand at the propeller; both magneto impulse couplings "snapped," and spark was produced at the ignition leads of the top six spark plugs. The engine examination was suspended, and the engine was removed for examination at the manufacturer’s facility. Prior to placement in the test cell, some engine components required repair or replacement due to water submersion, damage, or contamination. The engine starting motor was replaced when rotation of the propeller revealed “binding.” Ignition timing was confirmed on the left and right magneto prior to removal for drying. Once dried, they were reinstalled and timed to their as-found timing values. Once placed in the test cell, an engine start was attempted without success. Investigation revealed that the fuel manifold was contaminated and blocked due to water submersion. The manifold was removed, disassembled, cleaned, reassembled, and reinstalled. An engine start was attempted, and the engine started immediately, accelerated smoothly, and ran continuously at all power settings without interruption. The examination and test run revealed no pre-impact anomalies that would have prevented the engine’s ability to produce rated horsepower. Examination of the airplane’s flight track and data downloaded from its engine data monitor revealed the airplane experienced an increase in lateral g-forces as it aligned with the final approach (localizer) course. The airplane continued its approach left of the localizer course in a right-wing down or slip configuration, consistent with compensation for the gusting wind from its right side. According to the pilot’s operating handbook for the airplane: Prolonged slips or skids which result in excess of 2000 feet of altitude loss or other radical or extreme maneuvers which could cause uncovering of the fuel outlet must be avoided as fuel flow interruption may occur when the tank being used is not full.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:13 EDT
Nearest AirportHarrisburg Intl (2nm ESE)
Runway31
Runway Length10001 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA46 310P
Tail NumberN4385K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO 550C · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 9 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Observation Time20:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data