Piper PA-28-235 accident near Fairview, Pennsylvania, June 25, 2005
On June 25, 2005 at about 4:35 pm local time, a Piper PA-28-235, registered N235G, was destroyed in an accident near Fairview, Pennsylvania (Capital City Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing after takeoff and subsequent collision with a residence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 25, 2005 · about 4:35 pm local time
- Place
- Fairview, Pennsylvania · Capital City Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-235 · all PA-28-235s on the register
- Registration
- N235G · no longer on the register · serial 28-7410010
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane lost engine power and impacted a house shortly after takeoff and was destroyed. The pilot stated that he added fuel to the wingtip fuel tanks, and oil to the engine. He performed a preflight inspection of the airplane, which included sampling fuel from the wingtip fuel tanks. No anomalies were noted during taxi or engine run-up; and the airplane departed on a 5,001-foot-long, 150-foot-wide, asphalt runway. During the takeoff roll, the airplane used more runway than usual, and did not seem to have full engine power at rotation. Additionally, several witnesses at the airport and accident site recalled hearing interruptions in engine noise as the airplane descended into a mobile home community. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions; however, the carburetor, mechanical fuel pump, electric fuel pump, magnetos, and propeller governor could not be tested due to post-impact fire damage. The fuel selector was found set to the left wingtip tank, which was fueled prior to takeoff. Testing of the fueling truck did not reveal any evidence of water or contamination. Review of aircraft performance charts revealed that the airplane should have cleared a 50-foot-obstacle, and been climbing about 600 feet per minute, after an approximate 2,000-foot takeoff roll.
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
Pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,636 hours in all; 188 in this make and model; 144 in the last 90 days; 41 in the last 30 days; 1,465 as pilot in command; 813 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2004
- Maximum gross weight: 3,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: CXY Harrisburg PA at 4:35 pm
- Destination: BDR Bridgeport CT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 26, 5,001 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 pm from CXY, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket 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.