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Engine Failure Practice Leads to Off-Airport Landing on Rough Terrain (N5157W)

Monroe, WA, US

On May 1, 1998, a Piper PA-28-160 (registration N5157W) was involved in an aviation accident near Monroe, WA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel starvation due to the flight instructor's improper in-flight decision to simulate an engine failure by pulling the mixture control toward the lean position until the engine shut down, and his failure to return the mixture to the rich position until after… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During a simulated engine failure, a student pilot attempted a landing at a private airstrip but after the propeller stopped and engine restart failed, the aircraft landed in a construction area and sustained substantial damage.

Sequence of Events

During a training flight, the instructor simulated an engine failure by pulling out the mixture control until the engine shut down. The student pilot then attempted to maneuver the aircraft for a landing at a paved private airstrip.

Just after turning a close-in final approach, with the mixture control still pulled out almost to the full-lean position, the student raised the aircraft's nose. Subsequently, the propeller stopped turning.

Instructor Actions

The instructor then returned the mixture control to the full rich position and instructed the student to engage the starter. After two unsuccessful attempts to restart the engine, the student opted to land the aircraft in an area where the terrain had been torn up by construction workers.

Landing and Damage

Just after touchdown, the aircraft impacted the rough and uneven terrain and sustained substantial damage.

Engine failureFuel exhaustion & starvation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 May 1998 Piper PA-28-160 accident near Monroe, WA?

During a simulated engine failure, a student pilot attempted a landing at a private airstrip but after the propeller stopped and engine restart failed, the aircraft landed in a construction area and sustained substantial damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 1 May 1998 Piper PA-28-160 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 May 1998 involved a Piper PA-28-160, registration N5157W, at Monroe, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Fuel starvation due to the flight instructor's improper in-flight decision to simulate an engine failure by pulling the mixture control toward the lean position until the engine shut down, and his failure to return the mixture to the rich position until after the aircraft had reached a low altitude and the propeller…

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10189. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.