Piper PA-32R-301T accident near Woodfin Mill, Georgia, November 16, 2025
On November 16, 2025 at about 1:45 pm local time, a 2000 Piper PA-32R-301T, registered N327HP, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Woodfin Mill, Georgia. It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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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 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 16, 2025 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Woodfin Mill, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-301T, built 2000 · all PA-32R-301Ts on the register
- Registration
- N327HP · registry record · serial 3257152
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On November 16, 2025, about 0845 eastern standard time, a Piper Pa-32R-301T, N327HP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Woodfin Mill, Georgia. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. The pilot reported that he had about 100 gallons of aviation fuel and 8 1/2 quarts of oil and that the preflight, engine start and initial climb were normal. About 10 minutes into the flight, the engine began surging, but all of the gauges were in the green and indicated normal readings. The pilot initiated a turn back to the departure airport and shortly after, the engine began losing power. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot and ran the emergency checklist items but his attempts to restore full power were unsuccessful and the engine power continued to deteriorate. The pilot declared an emergency and attempted to make a forced landing on a nearby private grass strip, but during maneuvering for the approach, the engine lost all remaining power, and he was unable to make it to the intended landing site. With limited options, he attempted a landing on a farm pasture that was surrounded by trees and powerlines. During short final, the airplane cleared the trees, but the pilot was unable to fly over the powerlines due to the low airspeed and rate of descent. The airplane’s left wing contacted a powerline line shortly before touchdown and the airplane landed hard, shearing off the nose landing gear and collapsing the mains before skidding to a stop. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the wings and airframe; the left wing was broken mid spar, and the engine compartment was significantly canted upwards. The airplane was recovered to a secure location 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 enroute (cruise) defining event
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Operator: Outter Banks Air Charters
The flight
- Departed from: FFC Atlanta GA at 1:30 pm
- Destination: APF Naples FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA26LA040.