Piper PA-28-140 accident near Salome, Arizona, July 5, 2026
On July 5, 2026 at about 3:25 pm local time, a 1967 Piper PA-28-140, registered N3995K, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Salome, Arizona (Western Sky Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were 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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 5, 2026 · about 3:25 pm local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- Salome, Arizona · Western Sky Airpark · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-28-140, built 1967 · all PA-28-140s on the register
- Registration
- N3995K · registry record · serial 28-23887
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On July 5, 2026, at about 0825 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N3995K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Salome, Arizona. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the passenger, who was a rated pilot and mechanic, the purpose of the flight was to conduct an engine break-in flight following a recent engine overhaul. Before the flight, the pilot and passenger completed a preflight inspection and engine ground run, during which no anomalies were noted. The magneto checks were within specifications, with an approximate 100-rpm drop, and the passenger did not observe any abnormal engine temperature or oil pressure indications. The passenger reported that he had previously conducted ground runs on the engine following the overhaul, and they were normal. The airplane departed from runway 17 at Western Sky Airpark (OAZ2), Salome, Arizona. The passenger described the takeoff as normal and stated that the engine was producing about 2,400 rpm, with the throttle full forward and the mixture full rich. At about 800 to 900 ft above ground level, the pilot turned the airplane to the right and began reducing the throttle from full power. The passenger estimated the throttle reduction at about 200 rpm, though he did not recall the exact rpm amount. Immediately after the throttle was reduced, the engine lost all power. The passenger reported there were no indications of an impending engine failure, including no unusual vibration, smoke, sounds, or abnormal gauge readings. The pilot then searched for a forced landing area. The passenger estimated that about 20 to 30 seconds later the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, tail, and empennage. The wreckage 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 initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.91 inHg
- Observation at 9:15 am from KBXK, 53 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KBXK 051615Z AUTO 20005KT 9SM CLR 35/02 A2991 RMK AO2
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
- N3995K on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Piper PA-28 Cherokee, Warrior, Archer and Arrow 18,620 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Piper 44,839 aircraft on the register
- Western Sky Airpark · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Arizona 2,985 since 1982 · 466 in the last ten years
- Arizona 8,435 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR26LA245.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.