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July 1, 2023 · Piper PA-28-140 · N4586R

Meeks Bay, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 1, 2023
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Meeks Bay, CA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140 (1965)
Tail Number
N4586R
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR23LA249

The pilot was conducting a cross-country flight with one passenger on board the single-engine airplane. The pilot reported that, while approaching the Lake Tahoe area, he decided to perform a flight around the lake before continuing to his destination. While adding power to level off, he heard and felt a pop in the throttle handle and the rpm decreased. Subsequently, the throttle was not controlling the engine power and the rpm decreased to near idle. The pilot added full rich mixture and switched fuel tanks. Despite his actions the engine would not increase in power. The pilot made a radio call and pitched for best glide over the lake. The airplane nosed over after contacting the water; the pilot and passenger egressed and were soon rescued by nearby boaters. The search efforts did not locate the airplane and the wreckage was not recovered; therefore, the airframe and engine could not be examined, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

Full Narrative

On July 1, 2023, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N4586R, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Lake Tahoe, California. The pilot was not injured and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal cross-country flight. The pilot reported that the airplane was just purchased in Southern California and that he and his passenger were relocating it to Carson City Airport (CXP), Carson City, Nevada. They departed on the accident flight from Modesto City-County Airport-Harry Sham Field (MOD), Modesto, California, and followed the interstate highway while approaching the west side of Lake Tahoe. After reaching the Lake Tahoe area, the pilot decided to perform a flight around the lake before continuing to his destination, which was on the east side of the lake. While adding power to level off at 9,500 ft, he heard and felt a pop in the throttle handle and the rpm decreased to 1,800. Subsequently, the throttle was not controlling the engine power and the rpm decreased to near idle. The pilot added full rich mixture and switched fuel tanks. Despite his actions the engine would not increase in power. The pilot made a radio call and pitched for best glide over the lake. The airplane nosed over after contacting the water; the pilot and passenger egressed and were soon rescued by nearby boaters. A security video captured the airplane during its descent over the water. The airplane contacted the water and flipped over in a big splash. Soon after, nearby boats were seen responding. The search efforts did not locate the airplane and the wreckage was not recovered. Review of the airplane's maintenance logbooks revealed that the last annual inspection was completed on April 9, 2022. At that time the airplane had a total time of 2,976 hours. The investigation was unable to determine how much time was put on the airplane since the last inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN4586R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Serious
Crew 2Age 24 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 F
Altimeter30.31 inHg
Observation Time09:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data