The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Accidents · NTSB CEN14FA434 · Final report

Piper PA 32-300 accident near Ardmore, Oklahoma, August 16, 2014

On August 16, 2014 at about 7:10 pm local time, a 1967 Piper PA 32-300, registered N4125W, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Ardmore, Oklahoma (Ardmore Downtown Executive airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because thermal damage to the engine prevented a complete examination.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
August 16, 2014 · about 7:10 pm local time
Place
Ardmore, Oklahoma · Ardmore Downtown Executive · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Piper PA 32-300, built 1967 · all PA 32-300s on the register
Registration
N4125W · no longer on the register · serial 32-40190
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The airplane had been parked on the ramp for 2 to 3 months waiting for completion of engine maintenance work. The evening before the accident, the pilot and the passenger, who held a mechanic certificate, were seen replacing the engine's Nos. 4 and 6 cylinders. On the day of the accident, after a test run-up, the engine cowling was installed, and the airplane departed. Witnesses reported that the airplane used most of the 5,000-ft runway before lifting off and did not appear to be climbing normally when it disappeared out of sight. The passenger reported that, about the time the airplane became airborne, he heard a "metallic pop." Unable to stop the airplane on the runway in the remaining distance, the pilot continued the takeoff. The passenger added that the engine continued to run, but the airplane was not able to climb above a set of wires. Examination of the accident site determined that the airplane's landing gear struck a transmission power line, and the airplane impacted terrain about 0.82 mile southeast of the airport. Although the engine continued to run after takeoff, it is likely that it was not generating full power, and the airplane was unable to climb sufficiently to clear power lines. A postcrash fire consumed most of the airplane's cabin, part of the wings, and portions of the engine. Due to fire damage, only a limited examination of the airframe and engine could be done; the limited examination did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.

The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English

What happened, in order

  1. Loss of engine power (partial) during takeoff defining event
  2. Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering

The NTSB's findings

  • cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
  • cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Not specified

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land
  • Flight time: 804 hours in all
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: fatal

The aircraft

  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
  • Fire on the ground

The flight

  • Departed from: 1F0 Ardmore OK at 7:10 pm
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 17, 5,014 ft by 75 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 160° at 5 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: broken clouds at 12,000 ft
  • Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
  • Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
  • Observation at 7:15 pm from K1F0

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1
Passengers1

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

8 documents, released by the NTSB on September 14, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.

The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.

Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.