Probable cause
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that about 5 miles from the airport the airplane engine began to have trouble, so he turned on the electric fuel pump. He switched fuel tanks, but the engine still lost power. The pilot was unable to make it to the airport, so he conducted a forced landing to a marsh/swamp. Due to the accident location, an on-scene examination of the airplane was not conducted, and the airplane was not recovered.
The pilot did not return a completed National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1 as requested.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20CA386 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 4, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Reserve, Louisiana
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Piper PA-38-112
- N-number
- N567N
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.