No fatalities

PIPER PA28 160 accident at Fulton, NY, 4 Oct 2020

Fulton, NY, United States

On October 4, 2020, a PIPER PA28 160 was involved in an aviation accident near Fulton, NY. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The mechanic’s improper maintenance, which resulted in the crankshaft expansion plug dislodging in flight and a subsequent forced landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The mechanic’s improper maintenance, which resulted in the crankshaft expansion plug dislodging in flight and a subsequent forced landing.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Maintenance personnelIncorrect service/maintenance

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 4 Oct 2020 PIPER PA28 160 accident near Fulton, NY?

The mechanic’s improper maintenance, which resulted in the crankshaft expansion plug dislodging in flight and a subsequent forced landing.

Were there any fatalities in the 4 Oct 2020 PIPER PA28 160 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 4 Oct 2020 involved a PIPER PA28 160, at Fulton, NY.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The mechanic’s improper maintenance, which resulted in the crankshaft expansion plug dislodging in flight and a subsequent forced landing.