Piper PA22 accident near Pace, Florida, August 29, 2026
On August 29, 2026 at about 3:30 pm local time, a 1956 Piper PA22, registered N5731D, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Pace, Florida (J-22 Ranch airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. 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 29, 2026 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Pace, Florida · J-22 Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA22 150, built 1956 · all PA22s on the register
- Registration
- N5731D · registry record · serial 22-4431
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 29, 2026, about 1030 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150, N5731D, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pace, Florida. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot, who was also the owner of the airplane, stated that he was departing from J-22 Ranch Airport (16FL), Milton, Florida, after the completion of some avionics related maintenance. The engine run-up was normal, and the magneto test was within the normal range. He was performing a soft field takeoff from the grass runway with “1 notch” of flap extension. After the airplane lifted off the runway and climbed about 30 ft, the engine lost partial power and the rpm dropped from 2,400 to 1,700 rpm. He then leveled the airplane about 200 ft above the ground to gain airspeed, but the airspeed did not increase. The pilot attempted to land in a peanut field; however, the airplane contacted treetops prior to the field and impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. The wreckage 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 initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 2, 2026; 2,037 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Destination: 2R4 Milton FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,895 ft by 227 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,900 ft; scat at 2,100 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 10:56 am from NSE, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KNSE 291556Z AUTO VRB04KT 10SM SCT021 BKN029 29/24 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP168 T02890244
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.