Piper PA-28-140 accident near Pearland, Texas, March 6, 2025
On March 6, 2025 at about 5:45 pm local time, a 1973 Piper PA-28-140, registered N54479, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Pearland, Texas (Pearland Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. 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
- March 6, 2025 · about 5:45 pm local time
- Place
- Pearland, Texas · Pearland Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140, built 1973 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N54479 · registry record · serial 28-7425144
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 6, 2025, about 1145 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N54479, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pearland, Texas. One pilot sustained minor injuries, and the other pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed the Pearland Regional Airport (LVJ), Pearland, Texas, and was destined for La Porte Municipal Airport (T41), La Porte, Texas. The left-seat pilot assumed the duties of pilot flying (PF) for the take-off from LVJ. The pilot monitoring (PM), seated in the right seat, stated that he noticed the tachometer was reading about 2,350 rpm during the takeoff roll from runway 14, which he noted was lower than normal. The PM directed the PF to increase the airplane’s airspeed before rotation. The PM stated that the airplane rotated about 65-67 mph, the engine instruments were “green,” and the engine sounded normal. About 200 ft above ground level, both pilots noticed that the engine rpm had decreased to about 2,200. The PM told the PF to pitch for 85 mph for the airplane’s “best climb.” The vertical speed indicator indicated a 100 foot-per-minute climb but then settled to level flight. The PM took over the PF duties. He pitched the airplane to achieve “best glide” and planned to conduct a forced landing to a field about 1 mile from the departure end of runway 14. The engine continued operating with partial power during the forced landing. The airplane impacted a wood pile and came to rest along a dirt embankment. A post-impact fire ensued and both pilots were able to egress using the main door. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Before the flight, the airplane was filled with 47 gallons of 87-octane ethanol-free automotive fuel. The airplane was recovered for further 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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,915.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 2, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Destination: T41 La Porte TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14/3, 4,313 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 11 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from KLVJ, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KLVJ 061753Z AUTO 13011G18KT 10SM CLR 19/01 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP206 T01890011 10189 20061 58004
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.