Piper PA-28-151 accident near Chamblee, Georgia, August 9, 2025
On August 9, 2025 at about 4:33 am local time, a 1976 Piper PA-28-151, registered N1080H, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Chamblee, Georgia (Dekalb-Peachtree airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person 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
- August 9, 2025 · about 4:33 am local time
- Place
- Chamblee, Georgia · Dekalb-Peachtree · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-151, built 1976 · all PA-28-151s on the register
- Registration
- N1080H · registry record · serial 28-7715306
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 9, 2025, about 0033 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-151, N1080H, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), Chamblee, Georgia. The flight instructor and student pilot were seriously injured, and a passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the flight instructor, the purpose of the flight was to conduct the student pilot’s night cross-country training. The flight instructor reported that the airplane’s fuel level was “above the tabs” prior to departure, and based on his flight planning, he assumed 34 gallons total onboard, which he estimated would provide a 3-hour endurance with reserves. The student pilot also recalled that the fuel level was at the tabs before departure. The flight departed PDK and flew to Richard B. Russell Regional Airport (RMG), Rome, Georgia, where the student pilot completed five full-stop landings before returning to PDK. The flight instructor stated the flight entered the PDK traffic pattern and performed three landings and two go-arounds. During the final go-around, when the airplane was about 300 to 400 ft above ground level, the engine “abruptly” lost power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and directed the student to switch fuel tanks. The flight instructor heard a brief “cough” from the engine, but power was not restored. He identified a clear area leading to a road and attempted an off-airport landing. During the descent, the airplane struck powerlines and then a tree before coming to rest. A review of fueling records revealed that the airplane was last fueled on August 6, 2025, following the final flight of that day. The airplane was recovered 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 (total) during initial climb defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,975 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 9, 2024; 58.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,325 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: PDK Chamblee GA at 1:30 am
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 080° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
Weather report (METAR): KPDK 090453Z 08005KT 10SM CLR 22/19 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP201 T02170189 402830194
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| 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.