No fatalities

PIPER PA-28-180 accident at Mesa, AZ, 5 Dec 2023

Mesa, AZ, United States

On December 5, 2023, a PIPER PA-28-180 operated by RED ROCK FLYING SCHOOL LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Mesa, AZ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A failure of the engine cowling right side latch pin and fasteners, which resulted in the partial separation of the engine cowling during flight. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

A failure of the engine cowling right side latch pin and fasteners, which resulted in the partial separation of the engine cowling during flight.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Fasteners

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Dec 2023 PIPER PA-28-180 accident near Mesa, AZ?

A failure of the engine cowling right side latch pin and fasteners, which resulted in the partial separation of the engine cowling during flight.

Were there any fatalities in the 5 Dec 2023 PIPER PA-28-180 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Dec 2023 involved a PIPER PA-28-180, operated by RED ROCK FLYING SCHOOL LLC, at Mesa, AZ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A failure of the engine cowling right side latch pin and fasteners, which resulted in the partial separation of the engine cowling during flight.