CEN26FA064

On December 17, 2025, about 1349 central standard time, a Piper PA-30 airplane, N8693Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Chicago, Illinois. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Airport surveillance video captured the airplane during takeoff. In the video, the airplane appeared to drift to the right of the runway centerline during the initial climb and reached a maximum height of about 75 ft above ground level. The airplane appeared to maintain a nose-high attitude and banked to the left and right before the right bank angle increased to about 90°. The airplane then impacted terrain in a nose-low, right-wing-low attitude. Preliminary air traffic control information revealed that the pilot was cleared for takeoff from runway 20R, and there were no other radio calls made by the pilot after he repeated the takeoff clearance. The main wreckage came to rest about 567 ft west of runway 20R, south of taxiway T. The initial point of impact was about 106 ft east of the main wreckage. The path from the initial impact point to the main wreckage was a magnetic heading of 255°. The left engine propeller was found embedded in an impact crater along the debris field about 45 ft from the main wreckage. Ground scars consistent with propeller strikes were observed near the impact crater. The main wreckage came to rest upright, supported by the extended main landing gear. Both wings remained attached to the fuselage with damage consistent with the impact sequence. Both engines remained partially attached to the wings through control cables and wire harnesses. The left engine was found inverted and rested on top of the left wing. The right engine was found hanging from the nacelle firewall. The forward fuselage exhibited accordion crushing consistent with impact damage, and the fuselage was fractured aft of the rear seats. The empennage remained intact with compression damage consistent with the impact sequence. Initial examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the flight controls or engines that would have precluded normal operation. Two witnesses observed the accident sequence and stated that the airplane engines sounded normal (figure 1). The wreckage was retained for further examination. Figure 1. Overview of Accident Site