Piper PA-32RT-300T accident near Frankston, Texas, July 4, 2022
On July 4, 2022 at about 12:35 pm local time, a 1978 Piper PA-32RT-300T, registered N25RC, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Frankston, Texas (Aero Estates Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s delayed aborted takeoff that resulted in a runway overrun 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 4, 2022 · about 12:35 pm local time
- Place
- Frankston, Texas · Aero Estates Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32RT-300T, built 1978 · all PA-32RT-300Ts on the register
- Registration
- N25RC · no longer on the register · serial 32R-7887078
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that during a takeoff from a wet grass airstrip, he glanced down at a point down the runway that had a reduction in elevation. When he looked back up, his perception of the tree height at the end of the runway increased. He stated that he aborted the takeoff even though the airplane attained rotation speed. The airplane slid about 1,200 ft down and off the runway end and impacted trees and terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,201 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 1,054 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,311.8 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 9, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO-540 (piston); 3,312 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: T00 Annuac TX at 11:00 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 3,100 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on May 4, 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 | Video of N25RC Accident Takeoff | MOV file | Download |
| 3 | Photo Log | PDF, 3 pages | 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.