Piper PA-30 accident near Tulsa, Oklahoma, July 9, 2026
On July 9, 2026 at about 10:29 pm local time, a 1966 Piper PA-30, registered N8154Y, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured.
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 9, 2026 · about 10:29 pm local time
- Place
- Tulsa, Oklahoma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-30, built 1966 · all PA-30s on the register
- Registration
- N8154Y · registry record · serial 30-1267
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On July 9, 2026, about 1729 central daylight time, a Piper PA-30 airplane, N8154Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tulsa, Oklahoma. The flight instructor and pilot under instruction were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that while conducting training maneuverers in the practice area she heard a noise similar to “sputtering” from the right engine and noticed the RPM drop to about 1500 rpms. Shortly after the rpm drop, the noise stopped and the rpm returned to normal. However, due to unexpected right engine issue, she chose to return to the airport. While returning to the airport, the flight instructor reported that all the engine gauges were observed to be within their respective normal ranges. During the approach, the flight instructor took the flight controls from the pilot under instruction as she observed that the airplane was too high and drifting from the runway centerline. However, the flight instructor was unable to correct for the unstable approach and chose to perform a go-around. The flight instructor reported that the airplane suddenly rolled inverted to the right after she applied full engine power to perform the go-around. Video surveillance imagery showed the airplane start an initial climb during the go-around followed by a sudden inverted roll to the right and then impacting terrain in a vertical nose low orientation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The airplane owner reported that both propeller governors had been recently removed, overhauled, and reinstalled. 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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Rawson Aviation LLC
The flight
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Wind: from 200° at 14 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 5:00 pm from KRVS
Weather report (METAR): METAR KRVS 092153Z 20014G24KT 10SM CLR 36/23 A2984 RMK AO2 SLP103 T03610228
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.