Probable cause
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
NTSB analysis
While descending for landing, the engine lost partial power and the airplane could not maintain altitude. The pilot attempted to divert to a nearby airport; however, he was not able to arrest the airplane's descent and had to make a forced landing to a road. The pilot stated that about 20 feet above the ground, he believes the engine lost all power. The airplane landed hard, struck a road sign, departed the paved surface, and came to rest on the desert floor. A postaccident examination of the airplane and the fuel-injected engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10LA051 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 8, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tucson, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Tucson International Airport (TUS)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-32R-300
- N-number
- N2165M
- 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.