# Accident 20260804013309A: Piper PA-24, Bethany, MO, August 4, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 4, 2026, 18:39 local time
- Place: Bethany, MO
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.3567° N, 94.0256° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3567&lon=-94.0256&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8422P, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8422P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-24-250 (registry code 7102404, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (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-24
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO 540 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN26FA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26FA280) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260804013309A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT DEPARTED PEORIA, IL WITH UNKNOWN DESTINATION. ATC REPORTED THUNDERSTORMS ALONG PATH OF FLIGHT AND DESCRIBED AIRCRAFT HEADING AND ALTITUDE AS ERRATIC. FOUND AIRCRAFT IN WOODED AREA WITH HEAVY DAMAGE AND BURNED. EXAMINATION OF AIRCRAFT INDICATED INFLIGHT BREAK UP. PARTS OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND A SECTION OF LOWER FUSELAGE SKIN WERE FOUND 1.5 MILES NORTHEAST OF THE SITE IN A PASTURE. IMPACT SIGNATURE INDICATED 90 DEGREE IMPACT WITH WOODED AREA.

## 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 CEN26FA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26FA280), Aug 4, 2026: Piper PA-24-250 (N8422P), Bethany, MO, destroyed, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing

## Other reports on N8422P (1)

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

- [Accident 19980123001509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980123001509A), Jan 23, 1998: Piper PA24250 (N8422P), Sutherlin, OR, Substantial damage. Engine problem. Unable hold altitude. Landed gear up in soft field. Hit berm and fence. Indicates induction icing. (-23) see ptrs narrative SEA98LA028

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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