Piper PA25 accident near Villa Tapia, Do, March 4, 2017
On March 4, 2017 at about 1:30 pm local time, a Piper PA25, registered N8569L, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Villa Tapia. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under non-U.S. private rules. 1 person was killed.
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 4, 2017 · about 1:30 pm local time
- Place
- Villa Tapia, Dominican Republic · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Piper PA25 235 · all PA25s on the register
- Registration
- N8569L · no longer on the register · serial 25-4993
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 4, 2017, about 1330 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA-25-235, N8969L, was destroyed following a collision with antenna wires and terrain during an aerial application flight near Villa Tapia, Dominican Republic. The pilot was fatally injured. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of the Dominican Republic. Further information can be obtained from: Comisión Investigadora de Accidentes de Aviación Junta de Aviación Civil Calle José Joaquín Pérez no. 104, Gazcue Santo Domingo República Dominicana Tel.: (1) 809 689-4167 E-mail: ciaa.jac@gmail.com Fax: (1) 809 221-8616 This report is for informational purposes, and only contains information released by the Government of the Dominican Republic.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,299 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
- Operator: Superior Food Distributors LLC
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.