Piper PA-32R-301 accident near Oxford, Mississippi, September 18, 2025
On September 18, 2025 at about 6:15 pm local time, a 1982 Piper PA-32R-301, registered N318JM, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Oxford, Mississippi (University-Oxford airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial takeoff climb, which resulted in an 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
- September 18, 2025 · about 6:15 pm local time
- Place
- Oxford, Mississippi · University-Oxford · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-301, built 1982 · all PA-32R-301s on the register
- Registration
- N318JM · registry record · serial 32R-8313021
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot conducted a normal pre-flight inspection and engine run-up. According to the pilot, after taking off from the runway, the airplane started drifting to the right and did not gain as much altitude as expected. The pilot attempted to correct the drift, but the airplane impacted the ground and slid into trees resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, stabilator, and both wings. The pilot stated that he likely stalled the airplane. Airport surveillance video depicted the airplane during the takeoff. The airplane’s pitch attitude increased as it rotated and climbed from the runway to about 100 ft above ground level. The airplane appeared to have maintained a nose-high attitude as it descended into terrain.
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 takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 203 hours in all; 48 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 75 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 18, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,326.9 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, March 15, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming Engines IO-540-K1G5D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KUOX Oxford MS at 6:15 pm
- Destination: PLK Branson MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09/2, 5,600 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 1:15 pm from KUOX
Weather report (METAR): KUOX 181815Z AUTO 15005KT 10SM FEW065 32/16 A3003 RMK AO2 PWINO,M
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on January 9, 2026. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Video File | video | View Download |
| 5 | Wind Component | 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.