# Accident 20251005014059A: Piper PA-30, Gila Bend, AZ, October 5, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 5, 2025, 18:10 local time
- Place: Gila Bend, AZ
- Airport: Gila Bend Municipal
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.9641° N, 112.6698° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9641&lon=-112.6698&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8678Y, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8678Y) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-30 (registry code 7103002, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-320 series (registry code 41509, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-30
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,169 total, 80 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA007) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251005014059A

## Narrative

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

ON 10/5/2025, THE PIC OF A TWIN-ENGINE PIPER TWIN COMANCHE LOST CONTROL DURING A LANDING ATTEMPT TO RUNWAY 22 AT GILA BEND (E63), IN GILA BEND ARIZONA.  THE PIC FELT HE NEEDED MORE POWER DURING SHORT FINAL AND MISMANAGED THE THROTTLE LEVERS DURING A GO-AROUND ATTEMPT, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO ROLL TO THE LEFT AND WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER.  THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE DIRT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF RUNWAY 22, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE WINGS, NOSE GEAR, AND ENGINES.  THE PIC ADMITTED THERE WAS NO OPERATIONAL PROBLEM WITH THE AIRCRAFT AND THAT HE MAY HAVE MISMANAGED THE THROTTLE APPLICATION.

## 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 WPR26LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA007), Oct 6, 2025: Piper PA-30 (N8678Y), Gila Bend, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper throttle input and failure to maintain aircraft control during landing.

## Other reports on N8678Y (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19841214067009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841214067009A), Dec 14, 1984: Piper PA30 (N8678Y), Jacksonville, FL, Substantial damage. Electrical failure, lowered gear, no manual extension. Gear collapsed. No cause found for electrical failure.

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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