Piper PA-28RT-201T accident near Brookings, South Dakota, July 26, 2025
On July 26, 2025 at about 11:40 pm local time, a 1981 Piper PA-28RT-201T, registered N8423H, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Brookings, South Dakota (Brookings Regional Airport). It was an other work-use 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 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
- July 26, 2025 · about 11:40 pm local time
- Place
- Brookings, South Dakota · Brookings Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28RT-201T, built 1981 · all PA-28RT-201Ts on the register
- Registration
- N8423H · registry record · serial 28R-8131190
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On July 26, 2025, at 1840 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28RT-201T airplane, N8423H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Brookings, South Dakota. The airline transport pilot and passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a work use flight. The pilot stated that during a departure climb from runway 12 at Brookings Regional Airport (BKX), Brookings, South Dakota, the fuel flow gauge indication was fluctuating. He initiated a return to BKX for a precautionary landing and entered the left downwind for runway 17. The engine continued to operate and there were no abnormal sounds or other abnormal instrument indications. During the completion of the base to final turn for runway 17, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot then performed a forced landing to a field where the airplane impacted a fence and the field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and both wing flaps. The airplane was retained 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
- Fuel related during initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,097.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 2024
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Turbo Arrow LLC
The flight
- Departed from: BKX Brookings SD at 11:38 pm
- Destination: BKX Brookings SD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 3,600 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 20.87 inHg
- Observation at 6:36 pm from BKX
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.