North American T-28B accident near Olivehurst, California, May 17, 2025
On May 17, 2025 at about 5:22 pm local time, a North American T-28B, registered N28DE, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Olivehurst, California (Yuba County 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 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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 2025 · about 5:22 pm local time · cases in 2025
- Place
- Olivehurst, California · Yuba County · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American T-28B · all T-28Bs on the register
- Registration
- N28DE · registry record · serial 138275
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 17, 2025, at 1022 Pacific daylight time, a North American T-28B, N28DE, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Marysville, California. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the operator, the airplane departed Yuba County Airport (MYV), Olivehurst, California, to perform a flyover at MYV for their organization. During the flight the engine began surging. The pilot started to return to the airport before electing to land on a nearby dirt road. During landing a wing struck a berm and spun the airplane around, substantially damaging the wings and fuselage. The wreckage was retained for 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
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Hmong Memorial Foundation
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 74°F (23°C), dew point 49°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from SAC, 27 miles away
Weather report (METAR): 10:53 AM 74 °F 49 °F 41 % N 6 mph 18 mph 29.82 in 0.0 in Fair
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| 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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N28DE on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- North American T-28 206 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- North American 1,297 aircraft on the register
- Yuba County · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in California 9,080 since 1982 · 1,096 in the last ten years
- California 28,112 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR25LA159.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.