Amateur-built NLA-275-FR-C accident near Bradley, Arkansas, August 19, 2025
On August 19, 2025 at about 2:33 am local time, a 2021 amateur-built NLA-275-FR-C, registered N345LA, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Bradley, Arkansas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 19, 2025 · about 2:33 am local time
- Place
- Bradley, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built NLA-275-FR-C, built 2021
- Registration
- N345LA · registry record · serial 1004
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 18, 2025, about 2133 central daylight time, a Lancair NLA-275-FR-C airplane, N345LA, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Bradley, Arkansas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A preliminary review of ADS-B data showed the airplane departed Lakeway Airpark, Lakeway, Texas, about 2011. The airplane then proceeded on a predominant northeast course. At 2018, the airplane reached an altitude of about 10,000 ft mean sea level (msl). After about 50 minutes, the airplane began a climb to an altitude of about 12,175 ft msl. After about 18 minutes, the airplane climbed to maximum altitude of about 14,125 ft msl, followed by a descent to about 12,375 ft msl. The airplane then began a climb from 12,375 ft msl to 12,675 ft msl, followed by a descent. About 2132 and at 11,800 ft msl, the airplane began a rapid right spiraling descent. Near the end of the descent, the data indicated that the airplane made a momentary level off and climb before a descending left turn into terrain (see figure 1). Figure 1. Profile view of the final flight segment The main wreckage of the airplane was located in wooded terrain. The initial impact point was a pine tree about 200 ft from the main wreckage. The path from the initial impact point to the main wreckage was on a true heading of 066°. The debris field from the initial impact point to the main wreckage contained fragments of the right wing. The main wreckage was oriented with the airframe upright and the engine was inverted with a final heading of 180°. The airplane was destroyed by the impact sequence and the postimpact fire. The wreckage was recovered from the accident site and was transported to a secure location for future examination.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute (cruise) defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Five Lime Alpha LLC
The flight
- Departed from: 3R9 Lakeway TX at 1:11 am
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from KTXK, 29 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KTXK 190253Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM SCT080 32/24 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP140 T03170239 53011=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.