# Accident 20250209002949A: Piper PA-28-235, Shafter, CA, February 9, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 9, 2025, 11:15 local time
- Place: Shafter, CA
- Airport: Shafter-Minter Field
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.4958° N, 119.1850° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4958&lon=-119.1850&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8535N, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8535N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-235 (registry code 7102810, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-540
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 555 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR25LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA092) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250209002949A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

WHILE ON A QUARTER MILE FINAL TO RWY 30 AT MIT, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE LOST POWER CAUSING THE PILOT TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT IN RECENTLY PLOWED FARM FIELD. UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGED TO THE AIRCRAFT.

AT THIS TIME, THE CAUSE OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE TO LOSE POWER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. A DETAILED POST-ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT ENGINE TEARDOWN INSPECTION WILL BE ARRANGED BY THE NTSB IIC AND THIS REPORT WILL BE UPDATED AS NECESSARY.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR25LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA092), Feb 9, 2025: Piper PA-28-235 (N8535N), Shafter, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. Contributing was the student pilot and flight instructors’ failure to utilize carburetor heat.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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