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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.

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October 2, 2020 · Piper PA46 · N62ZM

Lake Elmo, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 2, 2020
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Lake Elmo, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA46 (2001)
Tail Number
N62ZM
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA004

The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff and following landing gear retraction, he noticed a “hiccup” in engine power and immediately started a turn back toward the airport. During the turn, the engine lost total power and the pilot performed a forced landing into a field of standing corn, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. A post-accident examination of the engine, accessories, fuel pump, fuel control unit, flow divider valve, and fuel-oil heat exchanger revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine (turbine/turboprop)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined

Full Narrative

On October 2, 2020, about 1512 central daylight time, a Piper PA-46-500TP, N62ZM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lake Elmo, Minnesota. The airline transport pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff and following landing gear retraction, he noticed a “hiccup” in engine power and immediately started a turn back toward the airport. During the turn, engine power was lost and the pilot performed a forced landing into a field of standing corn. The airplane impacted terrain, bounced, and came to rest upright in the corn about ½ mile northwest of the departure end of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing as a result of the impact and post-crash fire. A post-accident examination of the engine, accessories, fuel pump, fuel control unit, flow divider valve, and fuel-oil heat exchanger revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:12 CDT
Nearest AirportLAKEELMO (1nm W)
Runway32
Runway Length2849 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA46
Tail NumberN62ZM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PT6A-42A · Turboprop
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 F / 27 F
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data