Accident · 2025-05-10
What the record says
- Event date
- 2025-05-10
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Fatal injury
- Aircraft
- PIPER PA32RT (N30689)
- Operating rule
- Part 91
- Operator
- operator not named in the NTSB record
Probable cause
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in a stall/spin at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the opening of the nose baggage door and subsequent distraction of the pilot during a critical phase of flight, as well as the external pressure of the approaching thunderstorms, which likely resulted in the pilot rushing to depart.
Source: NTSB case ERA25FA201Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot pilot flying | Private | Airplane | 56 | BasicMed (2016-07-05) | 377.8 total · 17.2 in this make/model |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.