Piper PA28 accident near Spokane, Washington, September 29, 2018
On September 29, 2018 at about 5:00 pm local time, a 1974 Piper PA28, registered N40825, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Spokane, Washington (Fowlers NW 40 airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper retraction of the flaps during a go-around, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to climb and its subsequent collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 29, 2018 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Spokane, Washington · Fowlers NW 40 · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 140, built 1974 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N40825 · no longer on the register · serial 28-7425174
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The noninstructor-rated pilot reported that he agreed to go flying with a student pilot in the student's airplane and act as pilot-in-command while seated in the right seat. During the approach to land with the student on the controls, the airplane was high, but with the "airfield made," the student selected full flaps. According to the pilot, the airplane "got slow and low," and the student initiated a go-around, during which, in a single motion, the pilot raised the flaps to the full-up position, and the airplane "struggled to fly and climb." Subsequently, the airplane impacted trees at the end of the runway and came to rest on its right side. The pilot added that the Pilot's Operating Handbook states that the flaps should be retracted one notch at a time. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during approach (VFR go-around)
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Climb capability › Attain/maintain not possible
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › Trailing edge flaps › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 730 hours in all; 197.8 in this make and model; 15 in the last 30 days; 580.7 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 20, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 63.4 hours in all; 9.8 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 8 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 6, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D (piston); 650 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SFF Spokane WA at 4:40 pm
- Destination: 12WA Cheney WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 03, 1,550 ft by 200 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KGEG, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on December 14, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Picture | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.