Piper PA-28-180 accident near Bulverde, Texas, July 20, 2026
On July 20, 2026 at about 6:40 pm local time, a 1966 Piper PA-28-180, registered N454MD, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Bulverde, Texas (Bulverde Airpark airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. 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 20, 2026 · about 6:40 pm local time
- Place
- Bulverde, Texas · Bulverde Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-180, built 1966 · all PA-28-180s on the register
- Registration
- N454MD · registry record · serial 28-3125
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On July 20, 2026, about 1340 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N454MD was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bulberde, Texas. The flight instructor and student pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that they had been performing takeoff and landing practice and had accomplished three successful takeoffs and landings. On the forth takeoff, when the airplane was 50 to 60 ft above the ground, the engine stopped producing power. A forced landing was executed, during which, the airplane struck trees and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage surfaces. The airplane has been 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 takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17/3, 2,783 ft by 40 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 1:00 pm from KSAT, 12 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSAT 201751Z 17006KT 10SM FEW250 32/21 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP132 T03170206 10322 20239 58013
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.