Piper PA-28-140 accident near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, July 2, 2022
On July 2, 2022 at about 1:29 pm local time, a 1966 Piper PA-28-140, registered N270SA, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Sundance 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 pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed for unknown reasons during the initial climb, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 2, 2022 · about 1:29 pm local time
- Place
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma · Sundance · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140, built 1966 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N270SA · registry record · serial 28-21576
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that after takeoff, as the airplane climbed above the height of the nearby houses, the airspeed and altitude began to decrease. Unable to climb, he allowed the airplane to drift to the right to avoid “putting anything in danger.” As he began a right turn, he lowered the nose to remain under transmission lines, but the airplane seemed to immediately “fall out of the sky.” The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and slid to a stop, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A calculation of the weight and balance revealed that the airplane was within both weight and center of gravity limitations.
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
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 391 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 292 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 29, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,307 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 19, 2022
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0-320-E2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Sundance Airport FBO LLC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 5,001 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 am from KPWA, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KPWA 021253Z 18006KT 10SM BKN110 26/20 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP130 T02560200
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
11 documents, released by the NTSB on August 30, 2023. 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.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Examination Summary | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Weight and Balance Information | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Fuel Quantity Memo for Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Witness Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Type Certificate Data Sheet | PDF, 47 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 11 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
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.