# Accident 20260517009159A: Piper PA-32-300, Empire, NV, May 17, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 17, 2026, 07:39 local time
- Place: Empire, NV
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.5286° N, 119.4728° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5286&lon=-119.4728&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8502N, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8502N) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-300 (registry code 7103212, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming TI0-540 series (registry code 41533, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-300
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport
- Pilot flight hours: 30,000 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26FA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA189) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260517009159A

## Narrative

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

ON MAY 17, 2026, AT APPROXIMATELY 07:39 LOCAL TIME, A PIPER PA-32-300 CHEROKEE SIX CRASHED APPROXIMATELY 6.5 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTHWEST OF EMPIRE, NEVADA. THE CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT OPERATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CFR PART 91, DEPARTING RENO-STEAD AIRPORT (KRTS) IN NEVADA WITH A PLANNED DESTINATION OF SUNRISE SKYPARK AIRPORT (ID40) IN IDAHO. BOTH OCCUPANTS ON BOARD SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED. METEOROLOGICAL DATA FOR THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT INDICATED PRE-EXISTING FORECASTS FOR STRUCTURAL ICING CONDITIONS, CONVECTIVE TURBULENCE, AND LOW-LEVEL WIND GUSTS.

THIS REPORT WILL BE UPDATED AS MORE INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.

## 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 WPR26FA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA189), May 17, 2026: Piper PA-32-300 (N8502N), Empire, NV, substantial damage, 2 fatal, investigation ongoing

## Other reports on N8502N (2)

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

- [Incident 19820208005529I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820208005529I), Feb 8, 1982: Piper PA32R300 (N8502N), Jackpot, NV, Minor damage. Za engine lost power at 250 feet after takeoff. Pilot stalled on landing, damaged right main gear, propeller tips.
- [Accident 19750301005329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750301005329A), Mar 1, 1975: Piper PA32300 (N8502N), Lake Geneva, WI, Substantial damage. Acft main gr struck 2-3 ft hi snow bank at the beginning of rwy 25 threshold.

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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